Welwyn North train fire causes rail disruption

Image source, @AspectsLockie

Image caption, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue was called to the fire at 13:06 BST

A fire onboard a train has caused disruption to rail passengers travelling to London.

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue was called to the blaze in the engine compartment of a train at Welwyn North station at 13:06 BST.

A spokesman for the fire service said three crews tackled the "deep-seated fire".

National Rail said the blaze would disrupt journeys into London Kings Cross until 19:30 BST.

Image source, @AspectsLockie

Image caption, Disruption was expected on trains into London Kings Cross until 19:30 BST

British Transport Police said all passengers had been "safely removed" from the train, which was travelling from Hull to Kings Cross.

Gordon Archer, who runs the Deli Stop cafe at Welwyn North station, said "hundreds of people" were evacuated from the train.

Routes affected by the fire are:

  • Grand Central trains between Sunderland, Bradford Interchange and Kings Cross
  • Great Northern trains between Cambridge, Peterborough, Royston, Cambridge North, Letchworth Garden City and Kings Cross
  • Hull Trains between Beverley, Hull and Kings Cross
  • Virgin Trains East Coast between Leeds, Edinburgh, Lincoln, Harrogate, York and Kings Cross