Train services on Britain’s main intercity rail line are running normally again after being disrupted for much of Friday because of a fire close to the tracks in north London.
Trains to and from London Euston serving Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow were among those suspended due to the blaze in Primrose Hill, Camden.
There was disruption to services up and down the west coast mainline. Some incoming trains were held up as far back as Birmingham and Warrington, and there were long delays and intercity services cancelled.
Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern trains were the worst affected, but the blaze also caused disruption to London Overground and the limited Southern services that run to Watford Junction.
Passengers who were able to travel north via other routes were diverted to King’s Cross St Pancras and permitted to travel on LNER. Train operators said passengers who were due to travel on Friday could choose to use their tickets on Saturday instead.
Services were able to run normally out of London by 4pm but some disruption remained because of earlier cancellations and delays.
The fire was reported at 9.31am on Friday, according to the London fire brigade, which sent 10 fire engines and about 70 firefighters to tackle the blaze in Regent’s Park Road.
The fire burned through a single-storey commercial building and most of a neighbouring property. There were no reports of injuries and the cause of the fire was under investigation, the brigade said.
A witness, William Selas, 40, said that he could see a lot of fire and smoke from his bedroom window. “Oh my God, I saw so many firefighters come around,” he said. “Hopefully it’s going to be all right and we won’t have to leave the house or run away.”
