Mass evacuation at Cardiff train station after fire on train

19 November 2023 , 17:08

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Reporter Bethany Gavaghan at the scene said there was a 'sense of confusion'

Parts of Cardiff Central railway station were evacuated on Sunday evening after a train caught on fire, the fire service said.

South Wales Police and South Wales Fire and Rescue responded to the incident at the city-centre station this evening. One member of staff said a small train was on fire at platform eight. Emergency services asked people to evacuate the back of the station.

According to Wales Online people were evacuated from the back of the station and the rear entrance was sealed off, although people were still able to get in through the front entrance.

In a statement on social media platform X National Rail said: "A fault on a train at Cardiff Central means some lines are blocked. As a result, trains may be cancelled or delayed by up to 40 minutes. Disruption is expected until 18:00."

A fire service spokeswoman said: "We were called at 4.26pm and sent three fire engines to Cardiff Central railway station after a report of a train on fire. The fire was out before arrival and a stop time of 4.51pm was given, so it was just an inspection [from firefighters]."

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Transport for Wales said in a statement: "The 3.50pm Pontypridd to Barry Island service was stopped at Cardiff Central after reports of a small object on fire underneath one of its carriages. The fire was put out by platform staff using a handheld extinguisher and the fire service attended as a precaution.

"Passengers were removed from the train and moved to a different service. Platforms 6 and 7 were temporarily closed but have since reopened. Platform 8 remains closed while an assessment of the train is taking place.

"Cardiff Central station has remained open throughout and there is only minor disruption to a small number of services but passengers are advised to check for the latest travel information for their journey."

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Conor Gogarty