Freight train catches fire; travel plans of passengers gone for a toss

No injuries reported, officials evacuate nearly 150 families living near the railway tracks

- B ANBUSELVAN @Chennai

IN a major railway incident, a diesel-laden freight train derailed and caught fire near Tiruvallur in the early hours of Sunday, disrupting rail traffic and sparking panic among local residents.

The fire, which broke out around 5.15 am, led to a large plume of smoke spreading across a 5-km radius, affecting areas such as Varatharajapuram, Manavala Nagar, and Periyakuppam.

The freight train, which was transporting high-speed diesel from IOCL's terminal in Tondiarpet (Chennai) to Mysuru, derailed shortly after crossing Tiruvallur station.

The blaze began in the third wagon and spread rapidly, gutting 18 of the 55 wagons.