Panic spread among passengers after a fire broke out in the engine of a moving commuter train in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat district on Sunday.
However, prompt action prevented any major accident and no casualties were reported.
The incident occurred about one kilometre from Hatibandha Railway Station when the Burimari-bound commuter train which had departed from Lalmonirhat, suddenly caught fire in its engine.
Sensing fire, the loco master immediately brought the train to a halt, forcing the panicked passengers to quickly disembark from the train.
Witnesses said many passengers became frightened and rushed out of the train, creating a chaotic scene.
The situation came under control shortly afterwards.
According to initial assumptions by the Fire Service, the fire might have originated from a mechanical fault in the engine.
Local residents initially attempted to extinguish the fire before the Fire Service was informed.
Firefighters later arrived and brought the blaze under control.
Later, the train resumed its journey toward Burimari.
Imran Hasan, a Fire Service official said the fire originated in the engine’s mobil (lubrication) chamber, possibly due to overheating caused by friction in the train’s wheels.