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Nottingham rail station fire being treated as arson | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A huge fire that closed Nottingham railway station is being treated as arson. | |
At its peak 10 fire crews were tackling the fire, which began at about 06:30 GMT. | At its peak 10 fire crews were tackling the fire, which began at about 06:30 GMT. |
Flames were seen coming from the station's roof and smoke filled the foyer, prompting the building's evacuation. | Flames were seen coming from the station's roof and smoke filled the foyer, prompting the building's evacuation. |
Supt Sandra England said: "We now have reason to believe the fire may have been started deliberately." | |
She added: "Cordons remain in place around the area and trains are not running. It is likely the station will remain closed for the rest of the day." | |
Incident commander Bryn Coleman, from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue, said crews faced "arduous" conditions when they arrived to tackle the "severe" fire that spread across the concourse. | Incident commander Bryn Coleman, from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue, said crews faced "arduous" conditions when they arrived to tackle the "severe" fire that spread across the concourse. |
He described the operation as "difficult and protracted". | He described the operation as "difficult and protracted". |
He added the fire was believed to have started in a toilet. | He added the fire was believed to have started in a toilet. |
The fire service confirmed in the early afternoon that a joint investigation with the British Transport Police was already under way. | The fire service confirmed in the early afternoon that a joint investigation with the British Transport Police was already under way. |
At 17:00 GMT crews were still at the scene dealing with the fire, which has been brought under control. | |
British Transport Police said it was an "ongoing incident" and said the station was "unlikely" to be open by Saturday. | British Transport Police said it was an "ongoing incident" and said the station was "unlikely" to be open by Saturday. |
Supt Sandra England said: "Even if some trains are running by tomorrow, there will be an extremely limited service with many delays, cancellations and overcrowding." | Supt Sandra England said: "Even if some trains are running by tomorrow, there will be an extremely limited service with many delays, cancellations and overcrowding." |
She advised football fans travelling to and from Nottingham for matches on Saturday not to attempt to travel by train. | She advised football fans travelling to and from Nottingham for matches on Saturday not to attempt to travel by train. |
East Midlands Trains said while no-one was injured and everyone was accounted for, all services, including trains to London St Pancras, Liverpool, Leicester and Norwich, have been disrupted. | East Midlands Trains said while no-one was injured and everyone was accounted for, all services, including trains to London St Pancras, Liverpool, Leicester and Norwich, have been disrupted. |
About 4,600 passengers arrive at Nottingham station during each weekday morning between 07:00 and 10:00, according to the Department for Transport. | About 4,600 passengers arrive at Nottingham station during each weekday morning between 07:00 and 10:00, according to the Department for Transport. |
The station has recently undergone a £50m redevelopment, incorporating a new tram bridge, including the restoration and upgrade of its Edwardian grade II listed front building. | The station has recently undergone a £50m redevelopment, incorporating a new tram bridge, including the restoration and upgrade of its Edwardian grade II listed front building. |
Eyewitness Sarah McMullan said she saw smoke coming from a toilet at the station's car park. | Eyewitness Sarah McMullan said she saw smoke coming from a toilet at the station's car park. |
"You don't think much of it when there's a little bit of smoke and police already there, but then we were evacuated," she said. | "You don't think much of it when there's a little bit of smoke and police already there, but then we were evacuated," she said. |
"It was pretty frightening to see how quickly a fire can grow. You can see billowing smoke and flames above the roof on the far side." | "It was pretty frightening to see how quickly a fire can grow. You can see billowing smoke and flames above the roof on the far side." |
BBC Radio Nottingham's Andy Whittaker said he saw "thick plumes of black smoke" coming from the station. | BBC Radio Nottingham's Andy Whittaker said he saw "thick plumes of black smoke" coming from the station. |
He said many people were left waiting outside the building after being told to leave. | He said many people were left waiting outside the building after being told to leave. |
Dr Remigius Ilione, 49, said: "I drove into the car park and I could already hear the fire alarm. | Dr Remigius Ilione, 49, said: "I drove into the car park and I could already hear the fire alarm. |
"The smoke was so thick that you could not see in front of you." | "The smoke was so thick that you could not see in front of you." |
Queens Road and Carrington Street were closed in both directions, which created heavy traffic on surrounding routes, but while there have been partial reopenings, disruption remains. | Queens Road and Carrington Street were closed in both directions, which created heavy traffic on surrounding routes, but while there have been partial reopenings, disruption remains. |
There have been reports of 40-minute delays on bus services. | There have been reports of 40-minute delays on bus services. |
Trams into the city were also disrupted by the fire and a separate incident, but began to run past the station at about 14:30 BST. | Trams into the city were also disrupted by the fire and a separate incident, but began to run past the station at about 14:30 BST. |
Visiting the station, Transport Minister Jo Johnson said: "It has been a devastating incident, but it has been an extraordinary response from the emergency services. | Visiting the station, Transport Minister Jo Johnson said: "It has been a devastating incident, but it has been an extraordinary response from the emergency services. |
"We saw an exemplary evacuation this morning. There were about 200 or 300 passengers at the start of the rush hour who were evacuated safely. | "We saw an exemplary evacuation this morning. There were about 200 or 300 passengers at the start of the rush hour who were evacuated safely. |
"As far as we can tell no-one has been hurt in the incident and we really do owe a huge debt of gratitude to the emergency services. East Midlands Trains has done a great job ensuring no-one was hurt and everyone was evacuated safely. " | "As far as we can tell no-one has been hurt in the incident and we really do owe a huge debt of gratitude to the emergency services. East Midlands Trains has done a great job ensuring no-one was hurt and everyone was evacuated safely. " |
He added that he hoped the station should be back up and running in the "next few days". | He added that he hoped the station should be back up and running in the "next few days". |