Fire near train station sparks severe delays
AN investigation has been launched into the cause of a fire next to Southall train station, which started a day of delays on the trains in west London.
Announcements on the London Underground warned passengers about a fire close to Heathrow Airport causing “severe” delays on TfL trains between Paddington and Heathrow early on Tuesday November 27.
By 7am there were reports of a return to good service in the area, but then a train derailed at West Ealing, leading to huge queues at Southall station and continued delays throughout the morning.
The London Fire Brigade has revealed details about the Southall fire, which caused the initial problems.
About 40 firefighters were needed to get the flames under control in disused train carriages, a log on the fire brigade’s website says.
In total, three old train carriages were involved.
The fire brigade added: “Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to disused train carriages alight next to Southall train station.
“One derelict train carriage was destroyed by the fire and a further two were damaged.
“There were no reports of any injuries.”
The fire brigade were first called about the fire at 2.25am.
By 5.53am, the blaze was under control.
Fire crews from Southall, Heston, Ealing and Hayes fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, the brigade added.
The delays caused by the fire at Southall were followed by further disruption after a train derailed at West Ealing.
The chaotic scenes on train platforms only really kicked in when the delays from the fire and the derailed train at West Ealing combined.
At around 7.30am Twitter user @ FredCoolBreeze shared photos of the queues packed onto platforms at Southall station.