Train commuters are facing rush hour chaos with thousands of journeys cancelled after a fire erupted near London Euston station.
Ten fire engines and 70 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze which broke out on Regent’s Park Road in Camden, north London, at 9.31am on Friday.
The London Fire Brigade said the blaze was under control shortly after 1pm but train journeys remain majorly affected.
The West Coast Main Line is blocked between Euston and Watford Junction and severe disruption is expected at the London station until 5.15pm, National Rail said.
While Avanti West Coast, London Northwestern Railway and London Overground services will face disruption ‘until the end of the day’.
Smoke was seen billowing out of a single-storey commercial building near to the train line.
The building, which lies nearby Chalk Farm underground station, appeared to be on the former site of Primrose Hill railway station.
Passengers travelling on Avanti West Coast trains between Euston and Birmingham, Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Glasgow Central and Edinburgh are among those affected.
Ten fire engines and 70 firefighters are tackling the blaze which broke out on Regent’s Park Road in Camden, north London
The building, which lies nearby Chalk Farm underground station, appears to be on the former site of Primrose Hill railway station
Smoke was seen billowing out of a single-storey commercial building near to the train line
Avanti West Coast services to London have reportedly been held at stations as far as Warrington, Cheshire.
Those with tickets for Friday can use them on Saturday instead with no extra fee.
Police closed the Regent’s Park Road footbridge as firefighters tackled the flames.
People could be seen watching large plumes of smoke wafted over the bridge.
Half of the commercial building was alight, the London Fire Brigade said, and Adelaide Road is closed between Winchester Road and Haverstock Hill.
There are no reports of injuries.
A local resident wrote on X: ‘The fire has been raging since 9am!!!
‘The LFB have been trying to put it out since.
‘The roof of the building has now burnt down. It’s been extremely smoky with limited visibility at time.’
On X, the London Fire Brigade said: ‘Due to the fire’s proximity to the railway, some lines between London Euston and Watford Junction are subject to delays or cancellation.’
They have told travellers to visit the National Rail website for further information.
National Rail have released an updated timetable until the disruption is over.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: ‘Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters have been tackling a fire on Regent’s Park Road in Chalk Farm.
‘At the height of the fire, a single storey commercial building and most of a neighbouring property were alight. Part of both buildings remains alight.
‘There are currently no reports of any injuries.
‘Adelaide Road is closed between Winchester Road and Haverstock Hill. Please avoid the area while the incident is ongoing.
‘Due to the fire’s proximity to the railway, some lines between London Euston and Watford Junction are subject to delays or cancellation. Visit National Rail for further information.
‘One of the Brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders was used at the scene as a water tower to help fight the fire from above.
‘Control Officers took the first of 27 calls at 9.31 and have mobilised crews from Kentish Town, Holloway, West Hampstead and surrounding fire stations to the scene. The fire was under control by 13.04.
‘The cause of the fire is under investigation.’