Huge blaze which started in toilets was arson
A HUGE fire which broke out in a block of toilets at Nottingham station is being treated as arson.
Around 60 firefighters tackled the blaze which started at 6:30am yesterday and spread to the main concourse and the roof.
A joint investigation between British Transport Police (BTP) and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue was launched, and BTP said last night they are treating the fire as arson.
Firefighters are still at the scene dealing with the fire, which has been brought under control.
Supt Sandra England, who is leading the BTP response, said: “Inquiries have been ongoing today and we now have reason to believe the fire may have been started deliberately.
“Officers are working to identify anyone who may have been involved in the incident, and we are appealing for information from members of the public.
“Fortunately, we have not had any reports of injuries as a result of the fire. Cordons remain in place around the area and trains are not running. It is likely the station will remain closed for the rest of the day.”
The station was evacuated just before the morning rush hour, and the blaze caused widespread travel disruption across the city’s transport network.
New transport minister Jo Johnson said: “It has been a devastating incident here at Nottingham station but it has been an extraordinary response from the emergency services.
“I have thanked today the incident commander for leading the extraordinary work that has gone on today.
“We have seen an exemplary evacuation this morning, there were two to three hundred passengers at the start of the rush hour who were evacuated safely and as far as we can tell nobody has been hurt in the incident.”