15.09.17
Major delays expected on WCML following blaze
Services between Watford Junction and London Euston have been halted this morning after a huge fire broke out near the line in the early hours of Friday morning.
The fire broke out at a timber yard and commercial property at Chantry Place, Harrow. Fifty firefighters were called to the scene last night to tackle the blaze.
According to the Guardian, passengers on a London Midland service from Euston to Milton Keynes had to be evacuated from the train at Headstone Lane, and were then provided with taxis to get them to their onward destination.
“Owing to a fire in a commercial property next to the railway line near Harrow, train services between Watford Junction and London Euston are not running,” a spokesperson for Network Rail confirmed.
“Passengers wanting to travel on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) and West London Line are urged to check with their train operator or nationalrail.co.uk before travelling as disruption and cancellations are to expected throughout the day.
“The safety of passengers and staff is our priority. We are working with our partners at London Midland, Southern, Virgin Trains West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper and the emergency services to update passengers as when more information becomes available.”
Network Rail also confirmed that the fire had damaged a trackside retaining wall that was now in danger of collapse. A statement explained that it will now be dismantled, made safe and rebuilt.
The property where the fire started is situated right next to Headstone Lane train station and passengers across a number of TOCs will be facing severe disruption today.
A spokesman for London Midland added: “While the emergency services are dealing with the fire it simply isn't possible to run trains through the area. The fire closed the mainline around 00:30 last night.”
London Midlands also urged passengers delayed by 30 minutes or more to apply for compensation for their late service.
Virgin Trains has confirmed that other operators are accepting tickets so that passengers can take alternative routes this morning.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown.
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