Abstract This study is an investigation of fire safety on intercity and interregional multiple unit trains. In the study the major fire risks are identified using a Preliminary Hazard Analysis, which is followed by an estimation of the consequences for different fires onboard trains using simulations and hand calculations. The improvements when introducing self-closing doors and a water mist system are also evaluated. In this study experiments are also performed, problems concerned with turned over railway vehicles are discussed briefly and the existing emergency rescue cards for Regina are reviewed.