Cook in train prevents cylinder blaze from spreading

The presence of mind of a cook in a train prevented flames from a leaking gas cylinder in the pantry car from engulfing it and spreading to other coaches near Palayam today, police said.

The man opened the gas knob on the cylinder and struck a match to light the burner when flames suddenly erupted at the mouth of the cylinder.

Acting quickly, he turned it upside down and managed to douse it but suffered burn injuries, they said.

The Chattisgarh-Rameswaram Yatra Special with over 800 passengers was near Palayam, in this district when the incident occurred.

The cook has been hospitalised.