Channel Tunnel fire arson, French inquiry claims

Channel Tunnel fire arson, French inquiry claims

The Channel Tunnel fire was started deliberately, a judicial inquiry by the French authorities is alleged to have concluded.

A BBC Newsroom South East report last night said unnamed sources had confirmed that the blaze among freight lorries was caused by an arson attack. Such a conclusion will prompt serious safety concerns for passengers and staff who travel through the tunnel and for emergency services.

A spokeswoman for Eurotunnel later confirmed that the report was expected to be issued next week but she did not know its findings. The inquiry by a French judge will report on the cause of the fire, which caused pounds 200m of damage last November.

Eurotunnel will have to wait another week before learning if it can re- start freight shuttle train services. Matthew Brace