Train catches fire in Sharon; 100 suffer smoke inhalation

Firefighters trying to put out fire which originated in engine and spread to two cars of train traveling from Nahariya to TA; cause of blaze unknown.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Israrail train Bombardier 311 (photo credit: Bombardier)
Israrail train Bombardier 311
(photo credit: Bombardier)
Some 116 passenger's on a train that caught fire south of Netanya in the Sharon area suffered mild cases of smoke inhalation and cuts on Tuesday.
The Israel Railways passenger train set out from Nahariya and was bound for Tel Aviv.
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An initial investigation showed that an engine caught fire. Authorities believe the fire was caused by an electrical short, but are checking the possibility that terrorists may have intentionally tampered with the engine.
Rescue teams arrived on the scene and evacuated the passengers. MDA paramedics treated passengers who suffered smoke inhalation and cuts they received while breaking windows to escape from the burning train.  Five of the passengers were moderately injured and the remainder were slightly injured. Army radio reported that a police officer fired his weapon at some of the trains windows in order to allow passengers to exit
The injured were taken to Belinson Hospital, Ichilov Hospital, Laniado Hospital, Meir Hospital and Sharon Hospital.
The fire spread to two of the trains cars before firefighters managed to control the blaze.
Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz plans to form a committee to investigate the incident, Israel Radio reported.