According to the Railway Department, the fire erupted in the engine of the train shortly after its scheduled departure from Anuradhapura at 5:00 a.m. The exact cause of the incident has not yet been determined.
Railway officials said immediate steps were taken to bring the train back to the Anuradhapura railway station, where a replacement engine was attached to continue the journey.
As a result of the fire and subsequent procedures, the train was delayed for over two hours and resumed its journey toward Beliatta at around 7:30 a.m.
No injuries or casualties have been reported.
