Tamil Nadu train fire: Diesel tanker on freight train goes up in flames near Thiruvallur; services suspended

CHENNAI: Train services on the busy Chennai–Arakkonam route were disrupted early Sunday morning after a crude oil tanker on a freight train caught fire near Thiruvallur. The freight train, carrying 45 tankers of crude oil, had departed from Ennore in Chennai and was en route to Mumbai when the incident occurred around 5am in the Egattur area near Thiruvallur. According to railway sources, one of the tankers suddenly caught fire and the flames quickly spread to adjoining tankers, sparking a major fire.

Thick smoke was seen billowing from the site. Authorities immediately halted rail traffic on the affected stretch as a safety precaution. Several passenger and freight services were delayed or diverted as operations on the Chennai–Arakkonam section were temporarily suspended. While there have been no reports of injuries so far, officials said a full assessment would be carried out once the fire is completely brought under control. Senior railway officials and fire service teams are at the site monitoring the situation. An investigation will be launched to determine the cause of the fire.