Penzance station fire: Blaze on train leaves smoke billowing from platforms

Witnesses describe 'awful smelling' fumes as trains are delayed

A fire at a train at Penzance railway station in Cornwall, the terminus of the Cornish main line from Plymouth (Dan Chaps)

A fire has started on a train in Penzance railway station in Cornwall, sending smoke billowing from the platforms.

The station is the terminus of the Cornish main line from Plymouth operated by Great Western Railways (GWR).

In a statement, the rail company said the station was evacuated and trains were held outside as a precaution.

“Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service have attended Penzance Station this evening following reports of smoke coming from the power car of a train that was not in passenger service,” it said.

“No one was aboard the train at the time, but the station has been evacuated and trains are currently being held outside as a precaution.

“We are working closely with the fire service and hope to get trains moving again as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Some trains, including a sleeper service, were reportedly delayed by up to an hour.

Witness Keith Lesser told Cornwall Live: “There were thick clouds of awful smelling smoke pouring out of the station. It looked like there was an engine in there on fire but no coaches.”

British Transport Police Devon said in Twitter post shortly after 9pm: “Ourselves, @DC_Police and @CornwallFRS are currently responding to a train on fire at #Penzance station.

“Please stay away from the station whilst @CornwallFRS work to bring the fire under control.”

Cornwall Fire and Rescue service later said the blaze had started in a train’s power car, which had been moved away from the station. Service had then been resumed.

“It can now be confirmed that fire was in the train power car,” the service said in a statement.

“The power car has now been moved from Penzance railway station to another location.

“Crews are still remaining with the Power Car checking for hotspots. Penzance Railway Station is now operating as normal.”

GWR said shortly before 11pm services were returning to normal and it expected to trains to run as usual on Wednesday morning.