Palanpur: A major tragedy was averted when the motor is connected to Ahmedabad, Haridwar Mail caught fire when the train entered the Palanpur Junction railroad yard at 13:05 on Friday. No casualties were reported.

“Thank God it happened at the railway intersection,” said Jyotiben Patel, who is traveling to Haridwar Mehsana her husband and two children. “Of course, the damage would have been greater if the train caught fire in a remote place,” the train guard PS Parihar said.

“The train had left the bus station at 12:15 and Abu was right on the outward sign of the union Palanpur when we heard an explosion of a fuel tank and saw smoke coming out of it,” said BS Damor driver.

Railway sources said thick smoke engulfed the engine and the pilot immediately descended to inspect. “Although the exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined, initial reports indicate there may have been a short circuit,” added the sources.

Railways has commissioned a study of the incident. “A second engine was attached to the train and left a delay of about two hours,” the position of superintendent SK Singh said.

“In addition, two fire tenders, the entire municipality, Palanpur rail crashes to suppress the fire,”said the superintendent of the station. A team of technicians has arrived in Abu Road and has begun an investigation.