Horror as train bursts into flames in Kent leaving a plume of smoke
A train was engulfed in flames on Friday morning causing disruption to the rail network and thick black smoke to fill the air.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene near Sevenoaks, in Kent, around 5am after a goods train burst into flames.
Six fire engines were called to Dunton Green train station to battle the blaze.
Nearby residents had been advised to close their windows and doors to avoid inhaling the smoke and told to stay away from the area.
The fire was extinguished around 7.45am, the BBC reported.
We are working with the emergency services after an engineering train caught fire near Dunton Green, blocking both lines between Sevenoaks & Orpington. Fortunately no one was injured & we’re now working out how to move the train so we can get @Se_Railway passengers moving again pic.twitter.com/ZI67yYfqDG
— Network Rail Kent and Sussex (@NetworkRailSE) April 23, 2021
Network Rail tweeted that both lines between Sevenoaks and Orpington have been blocked, and warned that it “could take most of the morning to clear.”
They added: “Once we’ve moved the damaged tamper, a machine which restores the level of the track, we’ll need to check for damage to the track & what repairs might be needed.
“We don’t know yet what caused the fire but are working with Kent Fire and Rescue who are investigating.
“We have lots of people on site right now working to get passengers moving again and that’s our priority.”
Looks like the crew are all out. This is a drivers worse nightmare. There going to hours of delays through #DuntonGreen while @kentfirerescue help @NetworkRailSE get the railway back up and running for @Se_Railway pic.twitter.com/bQXe0qpR1s
— PatrickF1 (@HammertimeLH44) April 23, 2021
Southeastern Railway is running a bus replacement service and diverting some trains via other stations.
There are no reports of any injuries and the cause of the fire has not been established.
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