Kochi: A compartment of the Thiruvananthapuram-Mumbai Netravati Express caught fire near Kayamkulam on Tuesday.
Passengers have been evacuated and all are safe. The compartment has been separated from the train.
It is suspected that the compartment caught fire after Anaz, a Tamil Nadu native, tried to set himself ablaze after he was caught for alleged theft. He has been taken into custody.
The bogie behind the engine caught fire as Anas reportedly set clothes to fire inside the toilet. He suffered burns in the mishap.
Police suspect that he could be mentally unstable as he has been giving contradictory statements.
CPI leader Pannyan Raveendran and Congress leader Rajmohan Unnithan were in the AC compartment, right behind the bogie that caught fire.
The train is still stationed at the Kayamkulam station.