A MAN has been detained over a fire which engulfed a train in India and killed seven people, including an Australian woman, police say.

Indian Railways police official P.K. Srivastava said the man was taken in for questioning after detectives spoke to others travelling on the train which was gutted by fire on Tuesday, the Herald Sun reported.

The fire broke out before dawn as the express train was travelling from Kolkata to the northern city of Dehradun.

"Sabotage cannot be ruled out," Mr Srivastava said while rejecting suggestions that Maoist guerrillas active in the area could be behind the fire.

Monash University physiotherapy student Kate Scanlon, 21, was on the trip of a lifetime when she was killed in the tragedy.

It is believed Ms Scanlon, from Tasmania, died of suffocation, while her travelling companions - school friends Sophie Moore, Bronwyn Smithies and Naomi Cappelli, all of Hobart - were treated for serious burns.

Media reports gave various other possible reasons for the accident including an electrical malfunction in the carriage's heating system, a blast in a gas cylinder or arson.

Police officer Srivastava confirmed that passengers on board the train had offered statements to investigators.

Witnesses had told railway authorities they had seen two passengers moving suspiciously about 2am.

"The two entered the bogie and placed bags in an empty booth. A few minutes later I saw smoke coming out of the bags and soon flames engulfed the bogie," a passenger said.

Passengers also said more people would have died if a passenger had not pulled the emergency alarm to halt the train.

Monash deputy vice-chancellor Prof Stephanie Fahey said the university had arranged counselling for Ms Scanlon's fellow students and staff.

"To learn of such a tragedy is always upsetting and we will support her family and friends as best we can during this sad time," Prof Fahey said.

Sid Sidebottom, a former school teacher of Ms Scanlon's, said the accident was devastating.
"It is so very sad. I performed in a musical with one of the young women. They were just lovely people," Mr Sidebottom said.

The Australian High Commission in New Delhi has already been in touch with the three survivors.
Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings expressed shock at the news. "I know I speak for all Tasmanians in expressing sympathy for these young women and their families," she said.


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