Eleven passengers injured as fire breaks out in CST-bound train

Eleven passengers aboard a CST-bound train were injured after a fire broke out in one of the coaches around 11.20 am on Tuesday. The fire started just as the train arrived at Dockyard Road station.

According to the railway authorities, an oil spill from a transformer fitted beneath the motor-coach led to the fire. The train was pulled out of service for inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS).

"It has come to our knowledge that a train examiner possibly mishandled the transformer," said a Central Railway (CR) official. "For some reason, the brake could not be released and the safety valve of the transformer burst due to excessive heat, leading to oil spilling from the transformer. However, a more concrete reason for the fire will be determined only after the CRS inquiry," said another official.

Ten of the injured were rushed to J J Hospital while one, who had suffered superficial burns, was taken to St George Hospital and discharged soon after.

"I was near the door of the coach when we saw oil dripping beneath the train. Suddenly, a ball of fire engulfed us. Many of us could not move and had to carried to the ambulance by the people around," said 28-year-old Khuddus Hussain who suffered 14 per cent burns on hands, arms and right leg.

Most of the victims suffered superficial to deep injuries on their backs, arms and hands.

For Santacruz resident Sandip K Patil (25), another victim, it would have been his first day at work at a bank. "I was looking forward to starting my career today. I was seated when suddenly, we saw flames leaping towards us. Before we could react, many of us were injured," he said. Patil suffered from 32 per cent burns on his arms, ear and foot.

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