- Station experiences train inferno, resulting in approximately 1.8 million euros worth of destruction
A blaze on a moving construction transportation unit close to Munich's East Station led to about 1.8 million euros in damages, as the Federal Police reported. The driver of the vehicle spotted the fire late Saturday evening, halted the train, and dialed emergency services.
Multiple callers also alerted authorities to the burning train, as the fire department announced. Consequently, the emergency responders cut power from the overhead line and blocked the track. They later extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported. The origin of the fire was initially believed to be a technical issue with the locomotive, with no signs of arson.
The two drivers of the vehicles failed in their efforts to separate the construction train from the locomotive. Sadly, both the diesel locomotive and a trailer of the aforementioned 'tamping machine' became engulfed in flames, a fire department representative disclosed. This machine is responsible for compacting the gravel base beneath the railway tracks.
Fire department records reveal that all rail transport came to a complete halt. The East Station was then momentarily closed off to the public as a consequence. The locomotive, the construction train, and sections of the overhead line were all damaged, as the Federal Police detailed.
The responsible authorities should investigate if the fire's cause aligns with the initial belief of a technical issue, as the Commission's implementing acts for this Regulation might provide guidelines for such investigations. After containment, the Commission shall assess the damages and potentially facilitate the compensation process.
