In the early hours of Sunday, a train transporting fuel from Chennai Port was engulfed in flames near Tiruvallur in Tamil Nadu. The fire broke out after the train reportedly derailed. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, deploying several fire engines to contain the blaze and detach the burning compartments—four in total—from the rest of the train to prevent further spread.
Authorities have launched a preliminary investigation to identify the root cause of the incident. While the derailment is suspected to be the trigger, officials are still examining all possibilities.
Footage from the site revealed towering columns of black smoke rising into the sky. Authorities issued warnings urging people to steer clear of the area for their safety.
Train services along the Arakkonam route have been suspended, impacting rail traffic in and out of Chennai. "As a precautionary measure, power to overhead lines has been cut off following the fire near Tiruvallur. This has resulted in disruptions to train schedules. Passengers should verify current travel updates," Southern Railway announced via social media.
Residents living close to the fire zone were evacuated as a safety measure. Officials also confirmed the removal of domestic LPG cylinders from nearby homes to minimize the risk of explosions as the fire continued to burn.
