A massive fire ripped through the vehicle parking area of Varanasi’s Cantt railway station in Uttar Pradesh early Saturday morning, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Over 200 two-wheelers – motorcycles, bicycles, and even some cycles – were consumed by the flames, according to reports from NDTV. The incident, thankfully, resulted in no injuries, but the sheer scale of the devastation is alarming.
Visuals emerging from the scene paint a stark picture: a towering plume of black smoke billowing from the parking lot, the frantic efforts of firefighters battling the inferno, and the chaotic scene as police worked to control the situation. Approximately 12 fire engines were deployed, joined by a substantial contingent of Government Railway Police (GRP), Railway Protection Force (RPF), and local police officers. Videos circulating on social media capture the intensity of the blaze and the determined efforts of emergency responders, using water hoses in a desperate attempt to subdue the flames amidst the thick smoke.
Preliminary investigations point to a short circuit as the likely cause of the fire. The blaze, which began in the early hours of the morning, rapidly spread across the expansive parking lot, engulfing vehicle after vehicle. CO GRP Kunwar Bahadur Singh confirmed the suspected cause to the media, stating, “There were some cycles too that have been burnt… The fire was due to a short circuit. We are conducting further investigations.” This statement highlights the ongoing investigation into the precise circumstances leading to the devastating incident.
The impact on railway employees is significant. Many of the destroyed vehicles belonged to employees who regularly park their two-wheelers in the designated lot. One employee recounted his harrowing experience: “I parked my bike around 12 am… One of the people near the vehicle parking told me that a short circuit had already taken place around 11 pm and was fixed. After a few hours, one passenger told me there was a huge fire outside. I quickly took my bike and parked it on the other side, but soon after, the fire spread across the parking lot.” This testimony underscores the rapid escalation of the fire and the fortunate escape of some individuals.
It took over two hours to bring the blaze under control, a testament to the scale of the fire and the intensity of the heat. Despite the prompt response and tireless efforts of the local authorities, the damage was extensive, with a significant number of vehicles completely destroyed. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust fire safety measures and regular maintenance of electrical systems in public areas. Authorities continue their investigation to determine the exact sequence of events leading up to the fire and to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
