KARACHI: The Pakistan Railways on Friday set up a five-member committee to investigate the causes of a fire that broke out in a dining car of the Sindh Express late on Thursday. The incident took place when the Lahore-bound train was about to leave the Cantonment Station.

The committee comprising senior railway officials would submit its report early next week. It is supposed to coordinate with the Railways Police and Fire Department in ascertaining the actual cause.

Mir Mohammad Khaskheli, the Divisional Superintendent, said that though the cause of the fire had not yet been established, negligence might be a reason. He pointed out that fuel and stoves were used in the dining car and extra care had to be taken by the staff concerned to avoid such incidents.

The fire spread panic among passengers and other people present at the station about one hour before the train’s scheduled departure.

While the train’s departure was delayed until the fire was extinguished, the incident also disturbed the schedule of other trains.

Mr Khaskheli said no passenger suffered any harm or loss as all of them were evacuated safely. However, he added, the fire caused extensive damage to the dining car before it was extinguished in about an hour.