Anakapalli: A fire broke out on the Tata Nagar–Ernakulam Express (Train No. 18189) in the early hours of Monday, claiming one life and causing major disruption to rail traffic in Andhra Pradesh. 
The incident occurred around 1.30 am near Duvvada, close to Yelamanchili railway point.
Two air-conditioned coaches — B1 and M2 — were completely gutted in the blaze. The deceased has been identified as Chandrasekhar Sundar (70), a resident of Vijayawada, who was trapped inside the B1 coach and could not escape due to heavy smoke.
Incident Details
According to preliminary reports, the fire originated in the AC coaches adjacent to the pantry car shortly after the train passed Duvvada. Locomotive pilots noticed flames and alerted authorities, following which the train was brought to an emergency halt near Yelamanchili. Passengers were immediately evacuated, but the fire intensified rapidly before fire services could reach the spot, engulfing both coaches entirely.
Dense smoke inside the coaches triggered panic among passengers, many of whom rushed out in distress. Poor visibility initially hampered rescue efforts. Chandrasekhar Sundar reportedly remained trapped inside the B1 coach and succumbed to the fire. Railway officials confirmed that all other passengers were safely evacuated.
All personal belongings, including luggage and clothing of passengers travelling in the affected coaches, were destroyed in the fire.
Firefighting and Passenger Ordeal
Fire tenders from Anakapalli, Yelamanchili and Nakkapalli were pressed into service. After hours of effort, the blaze was brought under control. Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at the station for several hours in harsh cold conditions, awaiting further arrangements.
Suspected Cause
Preliminary findings suggest that the fire may have been triggered by overheating of the brakes in the B1 coach. Sources indicated that flames were noticed near the braking system earlier, close to Narsingaballi. Senior railway officials visited the site to assess the situation, and a comprehensive inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the exact cause of the incident.
Train Services Affected
Rail traffic on the Visakhapatnam–Vijayawada route was disrupted for several hours following the incident. The burnt coaches were detached by 3.30 am, after which the train resumed its journey. Affected passengers were transported to Samarlakota by APSRTC buses, where two replacement AC coaches were attached to the train.
Several other trains on the route experienced delays as a result of the incident.
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