Stratford station in London was evacuated and temporarily closed on Friday evening as approximately 60 firefighters and eight fire engines responded to significant fires near the railway lines. The blazes, involving trees, dry grass, and shrubbery, sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
London Fire Brigade reported that hundreds of passengers were evacuated from stationary trains by crews and British Transport Police. The incident led to severe delays on the Elizabeth, Mildmay, and Jubilee lines, with National Rail announcing all lines were closed until further notice. Station Commander Scott Thorpe stated that the fire was primarily located in grass and shrubbery surrounded by railway tracks, and crews were also working on other fire spots in the station's sidings. Power to the tracks was isolated, and firefighters were expected to remain on scene for an extended period.
Meanwhile, the London Fire Brigade issued a warning about 'extreme' wildfire risks across the capital as the UK experienced a record-breaking heatwave with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). The brigade advised the public to be highly cautious, noting that dry conditions and high temperatures increase the likelihood of fires spreading rapidly. This marks the first year on record to see temperatures of 35C or higher across three separate months.
The public was urged to avoid the station area as crews worked to extinguish the flames. The heatwave was expected to continue into the weekend, maintaining sweltering temperatures across the region.