By
Hugo Gye
Last updated at 8:46 AM on 22nd December 2011
Part of the West Coast Main Line closed last night after a huge fire, which threatened massive disruption in the run-up to Christmas.
More than 100 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze on an industrial estate in Lancashire, and officials said it could up to take three days to put it out, although the blaze was under control by midnight.
A Network Rail spokesman said around 200 services were affected by the blaze which forced trains to stop running from 7.01pm last night.
Blaze: A huge fire has engulfed an industrial estate and closed part of the West Coast Main Line
He added that a full service had been resumed by 2am this morning.
The entire railway line between Preston
and Bolton, and between Preston and Wigan, was closed, with train
operating companies running replacement buses on their routes.
Huge flames were seen shooting into the night sky at the Lancashire Enterprise Business Park in Leyland, which is home to a number of businesses and warehouses.
Local reports suggested explosions could be heard coming from the blaze, with a large fiery glow cast over the site.
The fire is believed to have started in a warehouse storing toilet roll and then spread to a building filled with chemicals.
Firemen determined early on there were
no people trapped in buildings, but 20 homes were evacuated after the
chemicals became engulfed by fire.
Police were called just before 5.20pm today and a cordon has been put in place on local roads, with motorists warned to avoid the area.
Firefighters: A crew of up to 150 has been called to the scene to bring the situation under control
Up in flames: The fire is believed to have started at a warehouse storing toilet paper
People living close to the site of the fire have also been warned to stay indoors and keep windows closed due to the amount of smoke in the area.
Lancashire Police say there are no reports of injuries and there is nothing to suggest any danger to locals.
A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze took hold quickly, and one of the buildings involved in the fire is a warehouse storing toilet roll.
Firemen determined early on there were no people trapped in buildings but some residents were evacuated from nearby homes as a precaution, although smoke coming from the blaze proved not to be toxic.
Boom: Residents reported hearing explosions, and many have now been evacuated
Paul Richardson, a spokesman for the fire service, said crews had now completely surrounded the blaze to hose it down and firefighters had successfully stopped the flames from spreading any further, but a number of buildings could not be saved and were completely destroyed.
He added: ‘The fire will be contained but it is unlikely to be out completely for two to three days at least.’
A joint investigation by police and fire crews to find out the cause of the blaze will be held once the scene is under control.
Between 130 and 150 firefighters were called to the blaze, manning eight fire engines, two aerial ladders and a high-volume water pump.
A technical support team later deemed the chemicals not to be harmful, but local residents were advised to remain indoors and keep windows shut because of smoke.
Paul Richardson, of the fire service, said it was unlikely the fire would be out completely for ‘two to three days at least’.
A spokesman added: ‘The main West Coast railway line remains shut at this time as smoke continues to blow across the tracks and because of beer barrels exploding in the close vicinity.
‘A number of roads are also closed in the area and they will remain shut until it is safe for them to reopen.’
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Are they sure this was not an over enthusiastic HSE instruction? The rail line looks at least 50 meters away from the nearest building.
– Trevor, Ammanford, Wales, 22/12/2011 5:26
Beer barrels were exploding and flying over the track.
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Nick Devon 07:01 He added that a full service had been resumed by 2am this morning. You should have gone to Specsavers.
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Travel chaos?…. Service is actually resumed! Nice bit of scaremongering and lies as usual, DM! The worrying thing is your stupid flock of DM sheep readers fall for it every time! Are the middle classes simpletons?
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Good precise timing from Network Rail when svs. were stopped at 7.01 last night,, why not 6.59 or even 7pm. Nice to know that network rails timing is now world class.
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This report claims to have been updated at 06:04, however it does not make it clear that rail lines have been reopened and trains are running normally.
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Sh*t happens.
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Are they sure this was not an over enthusiastic HSE instruction? The rail line looks at least 50 meters away from the nearest building.
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Burning bog-rolls instigate major transport upheaval, causing massive delays. Only in Britain.
– Withnail Xtreme, Camden Town, 21/12/2011 23:56
What a silly comment,….why only in Britain?,….fires can strat anywhere in the world
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no map……. thanks DM.
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Glad to see they have a DR strategy in place.
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