RailEnquiry

The presence of fire crackers led to rapid spread of the blaze in the gutted bogie of Tamil Nadu Express, in which over 30 passengers were killed in July, forensic experts have claimed.A senior forensic scientist, who was part of the team that collected burnt articles from the bogie, said they "had found fire cracker material from the bogie which indicates that burning of crackers rapidly spread the fire in the bogie. However, initiation of fire is still not known."The fire crackers or its powder seems to have been stored below at least six seats in the coach, he said.The team of Andhra Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory experts, who examined the gutted S-11 bogie of Tamil Nadu Express, submitted a report in this regard to the Railway authorities on Wednesday, the official said, adding that a copy was also forwarded to commissioner, Railway Safety (South Central circle).Thirty two passengers were charred to death and 25 others injured when a fire broke out in S-11 coach of the New Delhi-Chennai Tamil Nadu Express on July 30 near Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.

The theory of a blast and short-circuit behind the devastating fire had initially made the rounds. An injured passenger, Madanlal, had earlier claimed that he woke up after hearing a loud noise in the coach and there were at least two more such thuds.

Railway Minister Mukul Roy had earlier entrusted the investigation in the mishap to D K Singh, the safety commissioner of South Central Railway.