On July 13, 2025, at 5:30 a.m., a goods train carrying diesel caught fire near Tiruvallur Railway Station in Tamil Nadu. Four wagons were burning, and diesel leaked, making people nearby really scared. District Collector M. Prathap said everyone’s safe, but they moved people living close to the station to keep them out of danger. The fire made a lot of black smoke, and it was a big mess, but no one got hurt.
A train on fire? That’s so scary! I’m glad nobody was hurt, but it sounds like a craz* morning.
Trains Stopped Around Chennai
The fire stopped trains going to and from Chennai. Southern Railway had to:
-
Cancel eight trains, like the Chennai-Mysuru Vande Bharat Express and Shatabdi Express.
-
Change the path of five trains to stay away from the fire.
-
Stop eight trains early so they didn’t go near Tiruvallur.
They turned off the electric power for safety, so local trains between Chennai and Arakkonam stopped too. People were told to check for updates and use helplines (044-25354151 or 044-24354995) for help with tickets or travel plans.
No trains running? That’s such a bummer! I hope people can get where they’re going soon.
Firefighters Save the Day
Lots of firefighters rushed to the scene—over 25 fire trucks from places like Chennai, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpet. They worked hard to put out the fire, which was tough because diesel burns hot. Helpers from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) joined in too. Railway workers separated 47 wagons from the burning ones to stop the fire from spreading. M. Prathap said, “The fire’s under control now, and it should be out in an hour.”
Those firefighters are awesome! They worked so fast to stop the fire from getting worse.
Keeping Everyone Safe
The police blocked off the area around the station to keep people away from danger. Tiruvallur Police Superintendent Srinivasa Perumal said, “Stay away from the fire zone for safety.” People living near the station were moved to safe places, and officials gave them food. Some hospital patients near the fire were sent to other hospitals to avoid the smoke. Everyone’s working together to make sure no one gets hurt.
Moving people to safety so quick? That’s so smart! I’m glad they’re taking care of everyone.
Why Did the Fire Start?
Nobody’s sure why the fire began. Some think the train might have gone off the tracks, spilling diesel that caught fire, maybe from a spark. The police and railway experts are checking the train and tracks to find out. An X post from @MeghUpdates said there might be a crack in the track, but that’s not confirmed. They’re still looking for the real reason.
A track crack? That’s wild! I hope they figure out what caused this soon.
Smoke and Spill Worries
The fire made tons of smoke and spilled diesel, which is bad for the air and ground. The air got a bit dirty, with tiny dust particles at 13.6 µg/m³, but it’s not too dangerous yet. People smelled strong diesel and smoke, and some worried about breathing problems. Those with asthma were told to stay inside or go to a government hospital if they felt sick. The government might check if the spill hurt the environment.
Smoke and diesel everywhere? That’s not good! I hope they clean it up so it’s safe again.
What’s Happening Now?
Firefighters are still working to make sure the fire’s completely out. Railways are checking the tracks to start trains again, but only when it’s safe. They’re fixing the broken wagons and cleaning up the mess. The investigation will show why the fire started, and they might make new rules to keep trains safer, especially ones with fuel. For now, buses are helping people travel since trains are stopped.
They’re fixing everything so fast! I hope trains start again soon for everyone stuck.