BAHAWALPUR: A coal train caught fire at Sammasatta railway junction on Monday night.

Rescue 1122 said the coal express -- CCM Coal ( Cheacho Ki-Milian ) -- on way to Lahore from Karachi was parked on loop line at Sammasatta railway junction. The coal laden in its five wagon abruptly started simmering smoke which attracted the attention of the assistant station manager on duty and other railway staff members. They immediately called the Rescue 1122 in Bahawalpur.

The train driver moved the simmering five coal wagon ahead to the platform on loop line for the convenience of the rescuers for their fire-fighting operation.

The rescuers fought with the simmering five wagon for over half an hour and successfully extinguished the fire. After the fire was extinguished, the parked train was set off to its destination during night time. The railway officials claimed that the coal was not damaged as the fire was controlled in short time.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2024