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Nottingham train station evacuated after large fire Nottingham train station evacuated after large fire
(about 4 hours later)
About 60 firefighters have been tackling a large fire at Nottingham station. The blaze, which broke out on the main concourse on Friday morning, spread to the roof. Police are investigating the cause of a huge fire that broke out in a block of toilets at Nottingham railway station.
The station was evacuated and no casualties were reported, a spokeswoman for East Midlands ambulance service said. About 60 firefighters tackled the blaze, which started at 6.30am on Friday and spread to the main concourse and roof.
Bryn Coleman, incident commander at the scene for Nottinghamshire fire and rescue service, said: “We have a serious fire at the concourse and the walkways of Nottingham station. We got a call at approximately 6.30am to a fire involving a toilet block – that has now spread to the roof void. It is quite a complex construction. We have 12 fire appliance units here, plus specialist firefighting equipment. The British Transport Police and Nottinghamshire fire and rescue service have launched a joint investigation and urged anyone with information to get in touch.
“The conditions inside the station at this time are quite arduous for our firefighters, who are committed and working really hard inside. The early indications are that it will remain closed for the rest of the day.” Supt Sandra England, who is leading the BTP response, said: “A joint investigation is now under way with Nottingham fire and rescue service to establish the cause of the fire. We would like to hear from anyone who has any information.
Coleman said his team was working with colleagues from Network Rail and East Midlands Trains to try to reopen the station, but added that a significant firefighting operation was taking place. “We are grateful for the support we have received from the people of Nottingham and ask for your continued patience as we work with Nottinghamshire police and our colleagues across the emergency services to return the incident to normality as quickly as possible.
The incident caused delays across the local transport network. “Our officers have been on the scene at Nottingham railway station all morning supporting Nottinghamshire fire and rescue firefighters as they deal with the large fire.
Footage posted to social media shows flames and smoke billowing from the building. “Cordons remain in place around the area with nearby roads closed, and trains are not running. It is likely the station will remain closed all day. Fortunately, we have not had any reports of any injuries as a result of the fire.”
This is the fire that has closed Nottingham station this morning. The station has been evacuated. pic.twitter.com/7wSSMSRubg The station was evacuated shortly before the morning rush-hour.
East Midlands Trains, which manages the station, tweeted: “Please do not travel to Nottingham station this morning as trains will be unable to run and we are unable to provide road support to/from the station.” The new transport minister, Jo Johnson, tweeted to say he was on his way to Nottingham to thank emergency services.
An EMT spokesman said: “Emergency services have been called to Nottingham station to deal with a fire. The station has been evacuated and there have been no reports of any injuries to customers or staff. We will continue to assist the emergency services in any way that we can.” The blaze has caused widespread travel disruption across the city’s transport network. East Midlands Trains said: “It is anticipated that Nottingham station will not reopen today and we expect trains to be disrupted on all routes through Nottingham for the whole of Friday 12 January.”
He said passengers should check the East Midlands Trains website for the latest travel information. NET Nottingham Tram said its trams were unable to stop at Nottingham station.
The Grade II-listed building was built in the mid-19th century and refurbished in recent years.