Major fire breaks out at railway mechanical workshop in Dibrugarh, probe launched

A major fire broke out on Thursday, March 5, at the railway mechanical workshop located in the Kadam area of Dibrugarh, triggering panic in the locality and prompting a swift emergency response. The facility, regarded as the first mechanical railway workshop in Northeast India, witnessed heavy smoke billowing from one of its storage sections, raising concerns about safety and potential losses.

According to preliminary reports, smoke was first noticed emanating from a store inside the workshop during the afternoon hours, creating a chaotic situation in the surrounding area. Local residents and staff alerted authorities immediately after thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the premises.

Following the alert, fire and emergency services launched a rapid response operation. Around six fire tenders from Dibrugarh and Lahowal rushed to the spot and began efforts to bring the blaze under control. Firefighters battled the flames for several hours as smoke continued to pour out from the store area.

Initial information suggests that welding work was underway inside the store when the fire broke out. Authorities suspect that sparks generated during the welding process may have ignited materials stored inside the facility, leading to the blaze.

Sources said a considerable quantity of valuable materials, including ranging foam and plywood, had been stored in the affected area, raising concerns about significant property damage. However, the exact extent of losses is yet to be officially confirmed.

Meanwhile, allegations have surfaced pointing to possible negligence and inadequate safety precautions at the workshop, which some claim may have contributed to the incident. Despite the seriousness of the situation, the railway workshop authorities had not issued any official statement at the time of filing this report.

Officials from Dibrugarh Police and the Railway Protection Force have launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the fire.

The incident caused considerable anxiety in the area as the railway workshop is located close to several educational institutions, including three colleges and two other academic establishments. Adding to the tension, the Assam Higher Secondary Final Examination was underway in nearby centres at the time, prompting concern among students, invigilators and residents as emergency teams battled the blaze.