A maglev train caught fire yesterday afternoon as it arrived at
the terminal, but was extinguished an hour later. No deaths or
injuries were reported.
According to a statement from the Shanghai municipal government,
a compartment caught fire at 2:40?PM as the train reached the
Longyang Lu terminal from the Shanghai Pudong International
Airport. Passengers were evacuated immediately.
A witness, who lives nearby, said the burning train was then
driven out of the station. He refused to give his name.
"I saw the train, with smoke billowing from a compartment,
leaving the Longyang terminal slowly and stopping about?one
kilometer away," he said.
"Fire trucks and ambulances arrived soon after and a person
climbed down from the driver's compartment using a ladder.
"I heard that a compartment caught fire when the train was in
the terminal and it was driven out to avoid setting fire to the
platform.
"I saw other trains moving in and out of the station, even when
the train was still on fire," he said.
According to the statement, the fire did not affect the
operation of the other maglev line and it was brought under control
one hour later.
A preliminary investigation has excluded the possibility of foul
play, but the cause of the fire has not yet been released. Further
investigation is under way, according to the statement.
The maglev rail line, connecting the Pudong International
Airport to the Line 2 subway, began operation on December 31,
2002.
The magnetic train covers a distance of 30 kilometers. Former
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and former Chinese Premier Zhu
Rongji took the maiden journey.
(China Daily August 12, 2006)