Karmabhoomi Express Catches Fire Near Rajpura in Punjab

NEW DELHI: What began as an ordinary rail journey turned into a frightening few minutes on Friday afternoon, when flames and thick smoke erupted from several coaches of the Karmabhoomi Express near Rajpura in Punjab's Patiala district. The fire broke out at around 1 pm, sending passengers into panic as it spread from one coach to others. Despite the dramatic scenes, no casualties were reported, and railway officials managed to bring the blaze under control. Police have pointed to a short circuit in a coach fan as the preliminary cause.

Karmabhoomi Express Fire: Spreads Across Coaches Near Rajpura (H2)

The fire started inside one coach on Friday, November 6, 2026, and quickly spread to others, triggering panic among those on board. Oneindia reported that four coaches were affected, while the Times of India's article text refers to three. Gujarat Samachar also put the number at four.

The train was travelling from Amritsar towards Bihar, and Patrika reported that fire and smoke rose from part of the train near Basantpura station in Punjab. The train was stopped, all passengers escaped safely and no one was injured.

The train came to a safe stop after its automated safety system triggered. Passengers quickly evacuated the smoke-filled coaches, and local fire brigades, GRP, and railway officials rushed to the site to douse the flames.

Punjab Train Fire: Short Circuit Blamed, Passengers to Continue Journey (H2)

Government Railway Police (GRP) SHO Gurpreet Singh said a short circuit in a coach fan was behind the fire, which reportedly began inside one coach before spreading. Officials rushed to the spot and took steps to douse the flames, and railway staff managed to put out the fire. This account of the cause is preliminary, and a fuller inquiry is likely to follow.

Arrangements were being made for passengers to continue their journey in another train. Further details about the damage to the coaches and the passenger arrangements are awaited. For official updates, readers can check Indian Railways.

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