London rail services 'severely disrupted' by Clapham fire

Eurostar and other rail services to and from central London have been severely disrupted because of a fire close to a busy railway line.

South Eastern Services out of Victoria Station and Eurostar trains out of Waterloo Stations were affected.

The incident followed a fire near Clapham in south London which led to the Fire Brigade insisting on a 200 metre exclusion zone to allow gas canisters to cool down.

London Fire Brigade said the incident involves an unidentified cylinder at Pensbury Place in south Lambeth.

A spokesman said: "Crews were called to a fire at a breakers yard at 1.30pm. The fire was quickly put out, but an unidentified cylinder is involved.

"As some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat there is a 200 metre hazard zone in place whilst the cylinder is being cooled. This is currently affecting trains in and out of Victoria Station and the Eurostar service into Waterloo."

Some nearby businesses and homes have been evacuated.

Eurostar later said it had been forced to suspend its "entire operation" until Saturday at 1700.

A website statement said: "Because of the risk of gas cylinders exploding, the fire authorities have stated that it will be 24 hours before they can intervene. There is no alternative route and therefore, Eurostar regrets that it has no alternative but to suspend its entire operation until Saturday, March 17 at 1700.

"Eurostar passengers who are unable to travel can exchange (within two months) or have their tickets refunded."

Copyright Press Association 2007

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