Immediate investigation launched into the locomotive blaze as authorities tackle the incident at Hungary's prominent transportation hub.
A fire broke out on a locomotive at Budapest's Keleti Railway Station on the evening of January 17, 2025, prompting swift action from firefighting teams and raising concerns about the cause of the incident.
The Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) announced an immediate investigation into the origins of the fire, with all possible scenarios, including arson, under consideration.
According to the National Directorate General for Disaster Management, the fire occurred on the Verseny Street side of the station, near the coach repair workshop, which is an area integral to energy supply operations for trains.
Firefighters employed multiple water jets to extinguish the flames under the direction of the disaster management operations service.
MÁV spokespersons reported that the situation involved a pre-heating locomotive, a critical component in the maintenance and readiness of passenger train carriages during colder months.
The locomotive's ignition source remains unknown, necessitating MÁV's prompt launch of an investigative procedure, detailed on their official MÁVINFORM
Facebook page.
Keleti Railway Station, one of Budapest's major railway terminals and a key point on Central Europe's rail network, experienced temporary disruptions due to the incident.
Although MÁV reassured passengers that no one was harmed and that the fire was contained without significant damage to the surrounding infrastructure, the precise cause of the blaze has not yet been determined.
The incident at Keleti Railway Station highlights the essential role of railway infrastructure and incident preparedness in ensuring safe and efficient transportation within the region.
The ongoing investigation is expected to provide insights not only to Hungarian authorities but also serve as an impetus for other rail operators in Europe to review their safety protocols.