Title - Fire in goods train hits rail traffic

Fire in a goods train at Kadambathur railway gate near Arakkonam delayed express and electric trains to and from Chennai by more than three hours, on Thursday.The goods train from Ennore near Chennai to Mettur thermal power plant was carrying coal. Near Kadambathur railway gate around 7 am, the guard noticed thick smoke coming from one of the coaches. He immediately alerted the engine driver after which the train was stopped.Soon, flames were seen and fire service and rescue personnel from Perambakkam were pressed into action. Sources said the firemen found it difficult to extinguish the flames due to high voltage power passing through the electric wire over the train. Steps were taken to suspend the power supply in the area. Chennai-bound trains including the Chennai-Trivandrum Express and Dehradun Express, and electric trains between Arakkonam and Chennai and trains from Chennai including the Chennai-Brindhavan Express and Chennai- Bangalore AC Double Decker and a few electric trains to Arakkonam were stopped on their respective routes.The flames were doused after two hours. The cause of the fire was not ascertained. Railway workers on the spot said the mishap might have occurred due to overloading and the resulting friction. The train was again operated around 10 am.

Meanwhile, motorists and pedestrians at the railway gates on both sides of the station were affected as the gates were closed.