R2021-01 Fire in a rail bus between Huutokoski and Siikamäki in Joroinen on 5 June 2021

10.06.2021

The Safety Investigation Authority, Finland, has decided to initiate an investigation under section 2 of the Safety Investigation Act (525/2011) into the fire in a rail bus between Huutokoski and Siikamäki in Joroinen on 5 June 202.

The first unit of a regional train consisting of two rail buses (Dm12 diesel engine train) caught fire after departing from Huutokoski. The train driver disconnected the units from each other and evacuated the passengers of the unit that caught fire to the other unit. Despite attempts to extinguish the fire, the rail bus was badly burned. No personal injuries were caused due to the fire.

The investigation will also study fires that have occurred previously in rail buses.

Timo Kivelä, Bachelor of Engineering, is appointed as the Head of the Investigation Team and Safety Investigator Heikki Harri, Martti Peräaho, Master of Arts (Psychology), and train driving expert Timo Koli are appointed as members. Chief Rail Safety Investigator Esko Värttiö will be the Investigator-in-Charge until 31 October 2021, while Chief Safety Investigator Lasse Laatta will take the position starting from 1 November 2021.