600 Passengers Evacuated Safely After Trackside Fire Hits London Rail Line
A trackside blaze sparked by a damaged overhead line forced a dramatic evacuation of 600 passengers from two trains near Finchley Road. The incident unfolded amid Britain’s scorching heatwave, adding to the chaos.
Grass Fire Sparks Railway Drama
Firefighters were called to tackle a grass fire on a railway embankment at 2.39pm, caused by a short circuit from a damaged overhead line. Crews from West Hampstead and Paddington fire stations raced to the scene to control the flames.
Mass Detrainment and Emergency Response
British Transport Police, railway staff, and the Fire Brigade worked together to safely detrain approximately 600 people from two stranded trains. The swift operation ensured no lives were lost, though one woman was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews for treatment.
Firefighters Bring Situation Under Control
Once all passengers were safely off the trains, firefighters focused on extinguishing the small trackside fire. The incident was declared over by 7.10pm, with no further injuries reported.
This trackside fire adds to growing concerns as the UK continues to bake under relentless summer heat, raising risks of more fires and transport disruptions.
