Cops 'kick down locked door' at station as man arrested for arson after fire
Police descended on a London underground station to tackle a "serious incident" this afternoon.
Passengers were evacuated and an emergency alarm sounded through West Hampstead Station - with people facing travel chaos due to trains being delayed because of the incident. On social media, it was claimed that officers were trying to kick down a door - but these reports have not been confirmed.
The British Transport Police said they were called to the station in north-west London at 3.31pm on Saturday. The force confirmed a man has been arrested on suspicion of arson. They added there was a small fire at the station, and because of it, two officers suffered mild smoke inhalation. The blaze was contained.
Emergency services rushed to West Hampstead Station at 3.31pm today (Louise Theeman)
(Louise Theeman)An eyewitness says that an "evacuation alarm" sounded at West Hampstead Overground Station as the incident unfolded. The user said earlier this afternoon: "Something going on in West Hampstead.
"Walk in as an evacuation alarm starts going off... Three trains don't stop... Then walk out to find the police trying to kick down a door." Passerby has shared information on social media calling the incident "crazy" as one said: "Happened within the past hour, they had police and fire engines. Crazy."
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Police said a man was arrested on suspicion of arson (Louise Theeman)
A small fire at the station was contained, said the BTP (Louise Theeman)The British Transport Police said: "At 3.31pm today (Saturday 9 March 2024) British Transport Police officers were called to an incident of anti-social behaviour at West Hampstead Station. A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson and taken into custody.
"A small fire was contained, and two officers suffered mild smoke inhalation. Other than a short delay, trains continued running throughout the incident."
A spokesperson for National Rail said on X, formerly known as Twitter: "NEW: Trains are currently unable to call at #WestHampstead due to the police dealing with an incident at the station."
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