Huge fire by railway tracks halts trains to UK’s busiest station as motorists engulfed in thick smoke on major motorway

A HUGE fire by railway tracks has halted all services to the UK’s busiest train station and left motorists engulfed in smoke on the M25. Crews from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service tackled the blaze next to the tracks in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, which sparked travel chaos at London Liverpool Street station. Major wildfires next to a busy rail track have caused chaos on the M25 as smoke plumes engulf the motorway Credit: X/@joeyldnisred The fire at Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire has halted all train movements to Liverpool Street (stock) Credit: Getty Trains running to and from Liverpool Street have been stopped as a result of the blaze. All Greater Anglia services both ways from the major transport hub are currently being diverted via Seven Sisters, a spokesperson confirmed. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Greater Anglia said the London Fire Brigade (LFB) requested trains were stopped because of multiple fires close to the railway lines. Services to and from Stansted Airport in Essex, Cambridge North, Meridian Water in Hertfordshire and Hertford East have also all been affected. Meanwhile, drivers are being warned to take extra care on the M25 between junctions 25 (Enfield) and 26 (Waltham Abbey). Thick plumes of smoke visible for miles triggered at least 50 emergency calls at around 2pm after the blaze broke out close to the major motorway. Smoke from the fire is said to be affecting visibility on the carriageway those travelling on the M25 Credit: X/@joeyldnisred Travellers at Liverpool Street are facing changes to their journeys Credit: Getty Smoke from the fire is said to still be affecting visibility on the carriageway despite the fire being put out at 5pm, according to the LFB. At the height of the fire, around 14 hectares of grassland was alight, the fire service added. Most read in The Sun Rail operators added that the blaze is causing “significant disruption” across the network which is expected to continue until further notice. Train services from Waltham Cross have been suspended. A spokesperson for Greater Anglia said: “Unfortunately, we have received reports of multiple fires close to the railway lines and as a result, and a safety precaution, the London Fire Brigade have instructed that all train movements in the area be stopped.” Stansted Express journeys are also being significantly affected, with estimated travel times of up to two hours and 30 minutes. Passengers travelling from London Liverpool Street to the airport are advised to take Underground services to Kings Cross St Pancras, board a Great Northern train to Cambridge, and then transfer to a train to Stansted Airport. A Stansted Express spokesperson said: “Train services running through this station may be delayed or diverted via Seven Sisters. Disruption is expected until further notice. “Unfortunately, we have received reports of multiple fires close to the railway lines and as a result, and a safety precaution, the London Fire Brigade have instructed that all train movements in the area be stopped. “In reaction trains towards and from Liverpool Street will be diverted via Seven Sisters until further notice. “Network Rail and the emergency response team are on site working as quickly as possible to put out the fires and restore the train service to normal.” Alternative travel options are in place for affected passengers. Greater Anglia tickets are being accepted on London Underground services, as well as on Great Northern, Thameslink, London Buses, and London Overground routes. Passengers travelling between Stratford and Hertford East may use services via Liverpool Street or the Central Line on the Underground. A London Fire Brigade spokesman said the fire was under control by 5pm after burning for three hours. They said: “At the height of the fire, around 14 hectares of grassland was alight. “Traffic on the M25 is likely to remain affected due to earlier smoke travel in the area. As an additional precaution, train services from Waltham Cross have been suspended.” 1 comment1