Gatwick Airport station evacuated and emergency providers scrambled after ‘practice catches fireplace’
Gatwick Airport’s station was evacuated and emergency services scrambled to the scene after a train caught fire this afternoon.
All trains were temporarily prevented from calling at Gatwick Airport train station after a fire alarm which saw all rail passengers evacuated to the South Terminal, a spokesman said.
The National Rail website said Gatwick Express services are suspended and there is a reduced service between Bedford and Three Bridges, with disruption expected to continue until 3pm.
Video footage shared on social media showed a train with black smoke pouring from one carriage and flames close to the track.
The train is believed to be a service from Bournemouth to London Victoria.
Firefighters were to the fire involving a passenger train at Gatwick Airport railway station, West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said. According to photos from the scene, at least four fire engines are in attendance.
The rest of Gatwick airport is understood to be functioning normally.
BBC 5Live presenter Clare McDonnell, who was on the train which caught fire and recorded video footage of the incident, told MailOnline: ‘There were white flashes and bangs on the outside of the carriage next to mine as the train pulled in.
No trains can call at Gatwick Airport train station after a fire alarm which saw all rail passengers evacuated to the South Terminal, a spokesman said
Black smoke and flames could be seen in footage uploaded to social media
Passengers at Gatwick Airport railway station were caught in major delays following a fire on a train – with queues captured on camera by BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Clare McDonnell
The rest of Gatwick airport (pictured) is understood to be functioning normally
‘Passengers on the platform ran away and smoke started to come into the carriage next to mine.
‘Announcements [were] made to get off train and off platform, calm at first and then staff started to raise their voices to get people to understand the urgency of the situation, as we were going up the stairs staff were running down with fire extinguishers and telling people to get out of the way.
‘But they were brilliant and people stayed calm.’
A London Gatwick spokesperson said: ‘Due to a fire alarm activation at the train station, passengers have been evacuated into the South Terminal. The station is closed while emergency services respond to the incident.
‘Teams are responding to the situation and passengers are advised to check before travelling.’
Large crowds formed at the station at Gatwick as frustrated arrivals waited to leave the airport.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, one would-be passenger described the situation: ‘Could one of the many staff all standing around looking a bit confused perhaps update the hundreds/thousands of us here waiting by the train station?
‘Nothing on the loud speaker for those of us waiting for trains. Some staff shouting but impossible to hear.’
In a statement, Gatwick Express said: ‘Gatwick Express services have been suspended and will not run until further notice.
The station would usually be used by tens of thousands of people a day
The National Rail website said Gatwick Express services are suspended and there is a reduced service between Bedford and Three Bridges, with disruption expected to continue until 3pm
‘You will need to use Southern/Thameslink to Horley/Three Bridges and use local buses to complete your journey.
‘Your ticket will be accepted on Metrobus services between Horsham/Gatwick and Redhill.’
National Rail said the fire meant there would be a reduced service between Bedford and Three Bridges, and rail replacement bus services have been requested.
Some trains are being permitted to drop off passengers only, Thameslink and Southern have said.
Customers are warned to check before they travel.
The line at Gatwick has since reopened, but further delays or cancellations are expected throughout the afternoon.
A spokesperson for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: ‘We are currently responding to a small fire involving a passenger train at Gatwick railway station, South Terminal.
‘Crews from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and Gatwick Fire & Rescue Service are at the scene.
‘All passengers are off the train and the railway station has been evacuated.
‘The station is closed while firefighters respond to the incident.’
