Alert gate-man spots fire in rail engine, mishap averted

A railway gate-man spotted fire in the engine of the New Farraka-New Delhi Anand Vihar Express near Sahibganj Railway Station, averting a major mishap.

"When gate-man M Kamal spotted the fire in the engine near the eastern outpost, he immediately alerted driver Audhesh Kumar Singh, who informed the station master on the walkie-talkie last night," Railway Manager R K Gupta said over phone.

The driver put the brakes, bringing the train to a halt at Madan Sahi village, near the station, he said, adding perfect coordination between them averted a mishap.

The fire, which partially damaged the engine (No. 18952), was put off by the fire brigade personnel.

It was replaced by another engine before the train (14004) proceeded its onward journey, the DRM said.

He said prima facie, fuel could have sparked the fire and an investigation was ordered into the incident.