Commuters face travel chaos trying to get home from London tonight after trains from Maidenhead to Paddington were cancelled when an electrical fire broke out ‘next to the track’.
Passengers were left scrambling to find alternative routes after the string of cancellations and delays during the morning rush hour, which also saw part of the Elizabeth Line suspended.
Firefighters were called to the fire at Maidenhead train station at around 7am on Wednesday, which triggered cancellations as trains were terminated at Reading.
Great Western Railway (GWR) said services between Paddington and Reading will be disrupted until the end of the day.
In a photograph taken by one commuter, black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky as flames rose up from near the railway track.
Network Rail confirmed the lineside fire has been extinguished as an investigation into the cause gets underway
In a photograph taken by one commuter, black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky as flames rose up from near the railway track
GWR announced the travel disruption just after 7.30am
Network Rail confirmed the lineside fire has been extinguished as an investigation into the cause gets underway.
Great Western Railway (GWR) told passengers just after 7.30am: ‘Due to a fire next to the track at Maidenhead, all lines are blocked.
‘Train services running through this station will be cancelled or delayed.’
They later issued a statement confirming that two of four lines have now reopened.
They added: ‘However, services between Reading and Paddington may be cancelled or delayed by up to 30 minutes.’
Fire crews from Slough, Maidenhead and Winsdor rushed to the scene close to Maidenhead train station to put out the blaze.
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Crews discovered an electrical fire alongside the railway.
Using a dry powder hose reel, firefighters extinguished the fire. Some remain at the scene of the incident.
Network Rail said it was investigating the cause of the fire, but that it was ‘too early to speculate’.
It is understood that the fire in Maidenhead will have a knock-on effect for the network as the electricity supply has to be switched off for the blaze to be extinguished.
British Transport Police were called to the line in Maidenhead at 7.29am today following reports of a lineside fire.
Officers attended to assist the fire brigade and rail staff, a spokesperson said.
South Western Railway, CrossCountry, London Underground and Chiltern Railways are conveying passengers via reasonable routes until further notice.
The Elizabeth Line was also part suspended, causing severe delays on the rest of the line.
Tickets are being currently being accepted on London Overground via any reasonable route, TfL said.
Exasperated commuters took to social media to vent their frustrations following the travel disruption.
Passengers were left scrambling to find alternative routes after travel chaos ensued on routes into London during the morning rush hour
Commuters have taken to social media to vent their frustrations following the travel disruption caused by a fire next to the railway track at Maidenhead
One person said: ‘@TfL you have people running back and forth between platforms at Southall because there is no info on which platform the Elizabeth line will depart from automated announcement says platform 4 but it was 2.
‘No staff at platforms to support. Staff all stand at the gates!’
Another said: ‘Train now stuck at Didcot Parkway due to fire at Maidenhead. Extra bonus meditation time to try not to get anxious about all the delayed meetings.’
A third posted: ‘#ElizabethLine another day another issue. So bad’.
Network Rail said it was investigating the cause of the fire, but that it was ‘too early to speculate’.
A spokesperson for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Crews from Slough, Maidenhead and Windsor fire stations were sent to the scene.
‘Upon arrival, crews discovered an electrical fire alongside the railway. Using a dry powder hose reel, firefighters extinguished the fire.’
