Wildfires wreak havoc with passengers evacuated from trains to major London airport

Major wildfires next to a busy rail track have stopped trains from running to a major London airport.

Huge plumes of smoke were seen for miles across north London as fire engines tackled a grass fire near in Waltham Abbey, Essex on Sunday.

At least 50 people reported the grass fire breaking out to the side of the tracks at around 2pm.

At the height of the blaze, around 14 hectares of field – about the size of 20 football pitches – were burning next to the River Lea.

People are seen being taken off trains as they grind to a halt on the way to Stansted Airport. Motorists were also warned of delays on the M25 as smoke drifted over, creating visibility issues.

A spokesperson from Rammey Marsh Cruising Club told Metro: ‘There are quite often fires on the marsh by the River Lea. But we were told they had sorted it out.’

At least 50 people reported the fire breaking out at 2pm with smoke billowing over a motorway (Picture: X)

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.

‘Crews used water backpacks and wildfire beaters to tackle the fire. Wildfire beaters are made of a long handle with a flat piece of rubber at the end, they’re used to beat the flames, depriving them of oxygen and cooling down the area.’

18 hectares were alight at the height of the fire (Picture: LFB)

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.’

It came as firefighters were able to reduce the number of appliances tackling a blaze which has caused ‘total devastation’ to heathland in Suffolk.

Smoke rises from a wildfire at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston on the Suffolk coast. (Picture: PA)

In an update, Suffolk Fire and Rescue said: ‘With the weekend here, we continue to ask members of the public to avoid the area and keep roads clear for emergency vehicles. Local roads and footpaths remain closed.’

On Friday, the National Trust launched an emergency fundraising drive after the wildfire left the landscape ‘unrecognisable’.

National Trust director-general Hilary McGrady has described the ‘heartbreaking’ loss of an important habitat which was home to rare species.

The charity said the heath was an important area for wildlife such as nightjars, skylarks and the rare Dartford warbler, as well as adders, lizards and slow worms, and butterflies including the rare silver-studded blue.

Comments Add as preferred source