A significant fire at a commercial building in Camden, north London, has triggered major disruption to rail services across the United Kingdom, particularly affecting routes from London Euston station. The blaze, which broke out on Regent's Park Road, has led to widespread cancellations and delays of up to one hour, impacting thousands of passengers travelling to and from major cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow.
Emergency Response and Impact on Services
The London Fire Brigade was alerted to the incident at 9:31 am on Friday, deploying 10 fire engines and approximately 70 firefighters to tackle the fire. This rapid response highlights the severity of the situation, but the cause of the blaze remains unknown at this time.
Affected Rail Operators and Routes
The disruption has spread across multiple key rail services, including:
- West Coast Main Line
- Avanti West Coast
- London Northwestern Railway
- London Overground
- Southern
Some trains have been held at distant stations as a precaution, exacerbating travel chaos for commuters and long-distance travellers alike.
Power Disruption and Wider Consequences
In addition to the direct fire damage, the incident has disrupted power to the railway on all routes between London Euston and Wembley Central. This power outage has compounded the delays, making it challenging for operators to restore normal service quickly. Passengers are advised to check for updates and consider alternative travel arrangements where possible.
The fire near Euston station underscores the vulnerability of critical transport infrastructure to unexpected events, with ripple effects felt across the national rail network. Authorities are working to contain the blaze and assess the full extent of the damage, but significant delays are expected to persist throughout the day.
