A major fire broke out early Sunday morning at the two-wheeler parking area of Thrissur Railway Station in Kerala, destroying hundreds of parked motorcycles and scooters. The fire started around 6.30 am at the paid parking facility near one of the station platforms and spread rapidly because many vehicles were parked close to each other.
Fire and Rescue Services rushed to the spot with several fire engines after receiving an alert. Firefighters, along with police, Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and railway officials, worked for over an hour to control the blaze. The fire was fully brought under control by around 7.45 am. No injuries or deaths were reported, and train services at the busy station were not affected.
Officials said the fire completely damaged the tin-sheet roof and structure of the parking shed. Initial estimates suggest that around 500 two-wheelers were gutted, though some railway officials put the number at a lower figure of about 250 vehicles. Many vehicle owners who arrived later in the morning were shocked to find their bikes and scooters reduced to ashes.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire may have started due to an electrical issue, possibly a live wire or spark falling on a vehicle covered with a plastic sheet. However, Southern Railway officials clarified that the fire did not originate from railway electrical equipment. The exact cause will be confirmed only after a detailed investigation.
CCTV cameras installed in the parking area were destroyed in the fire. However, the control unit and hard disk were recovered and handed over to Thrissur West Police for examination. A case has been registered, and police have begun a probe to determine the cause of the fire and check for any safety lapses.
Senior officials, including top police officers and state leaders, visited the site after the incident. Authorities have announced that safety checks and audits will be conducted at paid parking facilities across the state to prevent such incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, efforts are being made to help affected vehicle owners. Officials said assistance will be provided for insurance claims and other support measures. The incident has raised serious concerns about fire safety arrangements at public parking areas, especially at busy transport hubs like railway stations.
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