Train fire closes major station

Hundreds of commuters were told to leave trains

A major railway station was evacuated after reports of a fire in a train.

Smoke was seen coming from a train at about 1840 BST at Birmingham New Street station, British Transport Police said.

Thousands were told to leave trains, shops and the station concourse, but Network Rail said all platforms were reopened by 2000 BST.

A small fire was found in the exhaust of a train, which was then moved from a platform to an isolated piece of track, the fire service said.

Network Rail said the fire had been reported on an Arriva Cross Country service as it entered New Street.

'Hit the alarm'

A spokesman said: "The services have resumed but there will be significant delays and cancellations to services because of the major hold-up."

Ruth Johnson, who was walking along the platform and saw the fire on the roof of the train, said the incident did not look immediately serious.

"There were people sitting on the train directly below the fire on the roof, completely oblivious to it," she said.

"The station attendants then realised the seriousness of the situation and one of them hit the fire alarm.

"He then ran along the platform, banging on the windows telling people to get out."

West Midlands Fire Service said about 20 firefighters were called to the incident.