A devastating fire ripped through the parking area of Thrissur railway station in the early hours of Sunday, reducing more than 250 two-wheelers to ashes and causing significant damage to adjacent infrastructure.
Fire Engulfs Parking Area, Quick Response Prevents Casualties
The blaze erupted around 6:30 am and rapidly spread, engulfing the parking shed in thick smoke and flames. Fire and Rescue Services personnel, along with teams from the local police, Railway Protection Force (RPF), and Government Railway Police (GRP), rushed to the spot. Their concerted efforts brought the fire under control by approximately 7:45 am. Fortunately, no human casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.
Apart from the two-wheelers, the intense fire also damaged a nearby ticket counter and an overhead power-checking tower car. Preliminary estimates suggest the financial loss is substantial, though an official figure is yet to be determined.
Contradictory Claims on Fire Origin and Safety Lapses Exposed
The cause of the fire is under investigation, with conflicting accounts emerging. Some eyewitnesses suggested a spark from the overhead electric line may have triggered the blaze. However, a railways spokesman refuted this, stating the fire originated from one of the parked vehicles itself.
Fire officials pointed to severe safety deficiencies at the site. They reported that fire protection facilities were totally inadequate and the fire extinguishers present were non-functional. Furthermore, the staff on duty lacked training to handle such emergencies. Officials also noted that the number of parked vehicles far exceeded the shed's intended capacity.
Thrissur Deputy Mayor A Prasad alleged negligence, highlighting that a pillar of the electric line was installed perilously close to the parking shed. He also claimed the parking shed was being operated without the necessary municipal permission. The corporation has issued a show-cause notice to the railways.
Blame Game and State-Wide Safety Audit Ordered
The incident has sparked a blame game between the Railways and the local civic body. While the corporation insists permission was required, a railways spokesman countered that under the Indian Railways Act and Government Buildings Act, no such sanction from local bodies is needed for constructions within railway premises.
Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan stated that the government has sought a report from the police and asserted that the railways cannot shirk responsibility for the disaster. The government will take appropriate action based on the probe report.
State Police Chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar, who visited the site, announced that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by the city police commissioner will probe the circumstances leading to the fire. While he indicated no foul play is suspected, he acknowledged serious security lapses. Consequently, he ordered a safety audit of parking areas at all railway stations across the state.
In a related development, inspections at railway stations in Ernakulam district revealed violations in fire-fighting systems. Authorities have directed parking area operators there to rectify the shortcomings immediately and obtain clearance from fire officials.
Senior railway officials are expected to reach Thrissur on Monday to assess the situation. A critical unanswered question remains whether the railways or the parking contractor had valid insurance coverage for the vehicles destroyed in the fire.
