UK - Commuter train on fire evacuated
Posted: 17 Apr 2009, 17:53
Commuter train on fire evacuated
Page last updated at 08:30 GMT, Friday, 17 April 2009 09:30 UK
BBC
A commuter train had to be evacuated during the morning rush hour after smoke was spotted coming from underneath the train.
Southern rail said there were flames under the train and an evacuation was staged immediately at Hurst Green, Surrey, at about 0740 BST.
It is not know how many people were on board, but the busy service usually carries about 600 passengers.
The train was the 0657 service from Uckfield in Sussex to London Bridge.
Simon Boynton was a passenger in the carriage where the fire broke out.
He said: "It wasn't until we were on the platform that we saw why we had been evacuated.
"There were flames under the train and smoke coming out. The fire was put out fairly quickly though."
A spokeswoman for the rail operator said the driver was just outside Hurst Green station when the incident happened, and he stopped at the station to investigate.
She said: "Flames were confirmed underneath the train and the passengers on board were evacuated immediately into the station and emergency services called.
"This is a busy commuter train and around 600 people would usually be on board, but numbers this morning are not available at present.
"We are working to restore the train service for passengers as soon as possible and would like to apologise for any delays and inconvenience caused."
She said the cause of the fire was unknown but a full investigation would be carried out.
National Rail said there would be delays of up to 40 minutes along the line.
Replacement bus services were running along sections of the route.
Page last updated at 08:30 GMT, Friday, 17 April 2009 09:30 UK
BBC
A commuter train had to be evacuated during the morning rush hour after smoke was spotted coming from underneath the train.
Southern rail said there were flames under the train and an evacuation was staged immediately at Hurst Green, Surrey, at about 0740 BST.
It is not know how many people were on board, but the busy service usually carries about 600 passengers.
The train was the 0657 service from Uckfield in Sussex to London Bridge.
Simon Boynton was a passenger in the carriage where the fire broke out.
He said: "It wasn't until we were on the platform that we saw why we had been evacuated.
"There were flames under the train and smoke coming out. The fire was put out fairly quickly though."
A spokeswoman for the rail operator said the driver was just outside Hurst Green station when the incident happened, and he stopped at the station to investigate.
She said: "Flames were confirmed underneath the train and the passengers on board were evacuated immediately into the station and emergency services called.
"This is a busy commuter train and around 600 people would usually be on board, but numbers this morning are not available at present.
"We are working to restore the train service for passengers as soon as possible and would like to apologise for any delays and inconvenience caused."
She said the cause of the fire was unknown but a full investigation would be carried out.
National Rail said there would be delays of up to 40 minutes along the line.
Replacement bus services were running along sections of the route.