North Kensington fire halts Paddington‑Heathrow trains, 380 passengers evacuated
Six fire engines and about 40 crew fought the blaze after 4.10pm on Saturday, with services restored by Sunday morning
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A grass fire near Scrubs Lane in North Kensington triggered an electricity supply failure that halted every rail route linking London Paddington with Heathrow Airport on Saturday afternoon. The incident forced the suspension of the Elizabeth Line, Heathrow Express and Great Western Railway services along that corridor.
Emergency response
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London Fire Brigade reported that six fire engines and around 40 crew members arrived at the scene shortly after 4.10pm. The brigade worked to contain the blaze and prevent further damage to the overhead lines that power the tracks.
Six fire engines and around 40 crew members tackled the blaze.
London Fire Brigade spokesperson, as reported by The Standard
Passenger evacuation
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Transport for London and the fire service evacuated 380 passengers who were trapped on an Elizabeth Line train when the power loss stopped the train at the nearest station. Passengers were moved to safety using the fire brigade’s equipment and TfL staff assistance.
Restoration of services
National Rail announced on Sunday morning that the disruption to the Elizabeth Line, Heathrow Express and Great Western Railway had been cleared. Full service resumed across the affected routes, although a reduced local timetable now operates between London Paddington and Reading and Didcot Parkway.
The reduced service runs on a modified schedule, allowing passengers to travel between Paddington and the westward destinations while infrastructure checks continue. Early‑morning engineering work between Paddington and Burnham also required temporary closures, but those were completed before 8am.
Questions this report answers
+What caused the train disruption on Saturday?
A grass fire near Scrubs Lane in North Kensington caused an electricity supply failure that stopped all rail lines between London Paddington and Heathrow on Saturday afternoon, according to London Fire Brigade.
+How many passengers were affected by the fire?
The fire service and TfL evacuated 380 passengers who were stranded on an Elizabeth Line train, as reported by The Standard and MyLondon.
+When did train services resume?
National Rail confirmed on Sunday morning that the disruption to the Elizabeth Line, Heathrow Express and Great Western Railway had ended, and full services were back in operation.
+What train service runs on Sunday after the incident?
A reduced local service operates between London Paddington and Reading and Didcot Parkway on Sunday, following the restoration of the main lines, as detailed by National Rail.
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