A major fire broke out at the Cantonment Railway Station in Varanasi late Friday night, destroying approximately 200 two-wheelers parked in a designated area for railway employees. The fire, which is believed to have been caused by a short circuit, rapidly spread through the densely packed motorcycles, consuming them completely. Eyewitnesses and railway staff stated that the fire began around 10:30 PM when an initial short circuit triggered a spark. Although electricity workers were called in to fix the issue, a second short circuit occurred a few hours later, which reignited the fire and caused sparks to ignite the petrol in one of the motorcycles. This quickly turned into a massive blaze that engulfed the entire parking yard.
Despite the swift response from the fire brigade and the railway police, the damage was significant. Around 200 motorcycles, most of them owned by railway staff, were reduced to ashes. The fire caused considerable damage not just to the bikes, but also to the emotional and financial well-being of the railway employees who relied on their vehicles for commuting to work. Some employees noted that the parking area was quite congested, which may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
The railway staff voiced their concerns that if the station had a dedicated fire station on-site, the fire could have been contained much sooner, potentially preventing the widespread damage. The lack of such essential infrastructure at a busy railway station like Varanasi was seen as a major oversight by many of the affected employees.
The fire brigade did their best to control the situation, but by the time they arrived, the fire had already caused extensive damage. Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick smoke billowing from the parking yard as the flames engulfed the motorcycles, with the fire spreading so quickly that it was difficult to control. Fortunately, the rescue teams were able to save a few motorcycles, but the majority were beyond saving.
Senior Railway Police Officer Kunwar Pratap Singh confirmed that the fire destroyed approximately 200 motorcycles, and he added that an investigation into the incident would be conducted to ascertain the exact cause of the fire. Initial reports point to the short circuit as the most likely cause, but further investigation is needed to determine if any negligence or other factors contributed to the scale of the disaster.
The incident has raised several questions about the safety measures in place at railway stations, particularly regarding fire safety. Railway employees and residents of Varanasi have expressed concerns over the lack of a dedicated fire station at the Cantonment Railway Station, arguing that having such a facility on-site could have potentially saved much of the damage. Some employees also mentioned that the station’s electrical wiring and equipment might not have been adequately maintained, raising concerns about the broader safety standards at the station.
In the aftermath of the fire, the affected employees are left grappling with the loss of their personal vehicles, which many of them rely on for their daily commute. For some, the loss is financially burdensome, as replacing a motorcycle is not a trivial expense. Many employees are calling for more proactive measures to ensure safety at the station, such as better fire safety infrastructure and regular checks of the electrical system.
The Varanasi railway station, which serves as a major transit hub, is expected to come under scrutiny as authorities assess the extent of the damage and determine any preventive measures that can be implemented to avoid such incidents in the future.
