Minor fire near railway track hits train service

CHENNAI: A minor fire that broke out near the railway track at Pallavaram disrupted long distance and suburban train services on the main line of the Beach-Chengalpattu section on Monday evening.According to sources, sparks that were produced from welding work that was being carried out on the Road Over Bridge, under construction, in Pallavaram fell on wooden sleepers, around 8.50 pm, causing the fire. This resulted in halting of several express trains bound for southern districts at subsequent railway stations. Apparently, Fast Electric Multiple Unit trains heading towards Tirumalpur were also stopped at more than two stations including Saidapet. Passengers claimed that they reached their destinations beyond Tambaram after a delay of 35 minutes.