Falaknuma Express fire: Cops pushed three coaches to limit spread of fire

Hyderabad: The special party personnel of the Rachakonda Police deputed to the Falaknuma Express on Friday saved three coaches from being burnt in a fire, by decoupling them from the affection portion of the train and then towing it, instead of waiting for another engine.

Around 30 personnel were seen pushing the coaches away.

Officials said that as soon as a call was received, police personnel from Rachakonda’s Bhongir zone were the first to reach the spot. Three special parties were also deputed, to control crowds and cordon off the affected coaches.

However, with the fire still spreading, the personnel jumped into action to save unaffected coaches and separated them without using any big tools that are generally employed in the process.

Bhongir DCP M. Rajesh Chandra told Deccan Chronicle that they managed to decouple the coaches, but they were not in the clear. “Since the electricity supply was disconnected, the coaches could be towed only with a diesel engine, which had to come from Secunderabad and it could have taken around an hour. We had no option,” he said.

As the officials were looking for alternatives, the special party personnel started pushing the coaches and succeeded in pushing them to a safe distance, preventing further loss. “It was all a result of teamwork,” Chandra said.

On Twitter, the DCP posted: “Rachakonda police proved they can achieve anything if they join hands”, in Telugu along with a video clip of their action.

Rachakonda police commissioner D.S. Chauhan also congratulated the team. He tweeted, “A team is many hands in one Mind. #RachakondaPolice is committed to serve citizens & ensure their safety&Security round the clock. Efforts during the #FalaknumaExpress fire incident at Bhongir. Well done team #RCKP! Was great to see you all at work with grit, from the spot.”