Initial Fire Investigation Report of Mohanganj Express Train

Fire Investigation Report of Mohanganj Express (19-12-2023, Dhaka)

Incident Details:

? Date and Time of fire incident: 19-12-2023, 4:54 am

? First Responder: Bangladesh Fire Service Civil Defence

? Tentative call received at 5:04 am

? Arrived at Agagaon Railway Station at 5.07 am

? Fire extinguished by 6:45 am By BFSCD

Casualty:

? Four individuals were affected, including a mother and daughter (Nadira Akter Poppy, Yasin, and two unidentified men).

? Smoke hauling most of passengers

Affected Coaches:

? Three coaches labeled ?, ?, ?

? BFSCD found a body inside the cabin No: ?

Fire Characteristics:

? Ignition Source: Unidentified (Pending lab test results)

? Fuel Class and Name: Most A class, comprised of artificial interior decoration material, highly toxic, producing smoke, and forming aerosol clouds.

? Initially Ignition Point: Under the passenger seat in the non-air-conditioned coach.

Fire Spread:

? Passengers facilitated the fire spread by opening and evacuating compartments, causing it to move from one cabin to another.

? Did not use any ASTM E814, E84 E119, and other tested products inside the railway cabinet as per BNBC and international standard

Wind Pattern and Flow Conditions:

? Due to the stationary position of the train at Agagaon Rail Station, the wind was blowing northeast. Smoke and heat patterns indicated an inward-to-outward movement, especially toward open windows.

Fire Incident Type:

? Probability of Arson (Internal cabin-fire initiation by someone). Confirmation pending forensic lab test results.

Using Fuel: Petrol/Kerosine/Thinner or other available flammable liquid fuels (after the lab test it will confirm which fuel is used for this incident)

Witness interview:

? Habib (Passenger) was accompanying Nadira Akter Poppy and her two sons Yasin, and Fahim, 8, during the journey. He further said when the train stopped at Tejgaon station, some passengers got down. As soon as the train started moving, the fire started from the rear part of the coach. Immediately, the fire spread to the entire compartment, he added.

? Tejgaon Police Station officer-in-charge Mohammad Mohsin, quoting the passengers, said that the passengers noticed a fire in the compartments after leaving the Airport rail station in Dhaka

Notes:

? This report is based on an initial visual inspection.

? The final report will be published upon receipt of all information and lab test results.

? Thanks to BFSCD and Bomb Squad for preparing the initial report

Recommendation: It will be included in the final report after gathering all information about this fire incident