An enormous fire close to a railway line suspended services to London's busiest train station for hours on Sunday and left drivers surrounded by smoke on the M25.
Dozens of firefighters battled the blaze on tracks near Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, which led to services being halted at London Liverpool Street station.
All services to the station were suspended and Greater Anglia trains being diverted via Seven Sisters. By 9pm, lines had reopened but travellers were warned to expect delays right up to 11pm.
In addition, motorists were urged to avoid the M25 between Junctions 25 (Enfield) and 26 (Waltham Abbey), close to where the blaze is situated.
Over 50 calls were made to emergency services after thick clouds of smoke emerged around the M25 at around 2pm.
Greater Anglia stated that London Fire Brigade made the request to suspend train services, due to several fires near the railway line.
Routes hit by the closure included Stansted Airport, Cambridge North, Meridian Water in Hertfordshire and Hertford East.
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.”
Affected passengers were told to use their tickets elsewhere. Greater Anglia tickets can be used on London Underground services, plus Great Northern, Thameslink, London Buses, and London Overground train routes.
An London Fire Brigade spokesman added: "The fire in Waltham Abbey is now under control. Crews will remain on scene this evening, extinguishing the remaining hotspots.
“At the fire's height, 14 hectares of grass was alight. Delays are expected on the M25 and National Rail services from Waltham Cross remain suspended."
