A sudden fire aboard the intercity Chattala Express in Chattogram’s Sitakunda upazila triggered panic among passengers on Thursday morning, temporarily disrupting rail communication along a busy corridor. The incident occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. near the Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) Gate area in Bhatiari Union, according to railway officials and eyewitness accounts.
Witnesses and railway sources confirmed that the blaze originated in a power car—used for onboard electricity generation—and quickly spread to an adjacent air-conditioned passenger coach. The intensity of the fire completely destroyed the power car and partially damaged the coach, forcing authorities to detach both affected compartments. They were later sent to the Chattogram Railway Workshop for detailed inspection and repair.
A CCTV recording later circulated, captured from Faujdarhat Railway Station, showed the train passing at around 6:40 a.m. with visible flames erupting from one of the carriages. Individuals on the platform were seen shouting warnings as passengers realised the danger. Within moments, panic spread through the train, though swift actions by railway staff helped prevent casualties.
Following the incident, railway authorities moved the undamaged coaches to Kumira Station in Sitakunda for safety. Additional coaches were later brought from Chattogram to replace the damaged units. After emergency repairs and reconfiguration, the Chattala Express resumed its journey towards Dhaka at approximately 10:35 a.m., nearly four hours after the fire broke out.
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Disruption to Rail Services
The fire incident also caused temporary disruption to several other intercity services on the same route. Trains including the Paharika Express bound for Sylhet and the Bijoy Express heading towards Mymensingh were held at designated stations, leading to significant passenger inconvenience and delays.
Timeline and Operational Impact
| Time | Event | Affected Train(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 6:30 a.m. | Fire breaks out in moving train | Chattala Express |
| 6:40 a.m. | Flames captured on CCTV at Faujdarhat Station | Chattala Express |
| 10:00 a.m. | Temporary suspension/holding of nearby services | Paharika, Bijoy Express |
| 10:35 a.m. | Chattala Express resumes journey to Dhaka | Chattala Express |
Investigation Underway
The Eastern Railway authorities have formed a four-member investigation committee to determine the exact cause of the fire. The panel is headed by Divisional Transport Officer Anisur Rahman and has been instructed to submit its findings within three working days.
Preliminary assessments suggest that a technical malfunction—possibly related to the electrical power supply system or a mechanical fault—could be responsible. However, officials have stressed that no conclusion will be drawn until the investigation is completed.
Divisional Railway Manager Mostafizur Rahman Bhuiyan stated that the incident is being treated with utmost seriousness, with passenger safety declared the highest priority moving forward.
Passenger Reactions
Passengers on board described scenes of sudden panic as smoke and flames became visible. Many rushed to safer compartments, while railway staff attempted to maintain order. Although some disorder was reported at Faujdarhat Station during the emergency stop, the situation was later brought under control.
Officials confirmed that no fatalities or major injuries occurred, and losses to passengers and their belongings were minimal—helping avert what could have been a far more serious disaster.
Conclusion
The incident has once again raised concerns about operational safety and maintenance standards within Bangladesh’s railway network. Authorities are now awaiting the final investigation report to determine whether the cause was technical failure, electrical malfunction, or another underlying issue.