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Channel Tunnel disruption goes on Channel Tunnel disruption goes on
(30 minutes later)
Thousands of passengers hoping to travel through the Channel Tunnel face further disruption after a fire on a freight train.Thousands of passengers hoping to travel through the Channel Tunnel face further disruption after a fire on a freight train.
The tunnel is closed after the fire broke out about seven miles from Calais on Thursday afternoon. Firefighters say the blaze has now been put out.The tunnel is closed after the fire broke out about seven miles from Calais on Thursday afternoon. Firefighters say the blaze has now been put out.
Thirty-two people on board were led to safety. Fourteen had suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation.Thirty-two people on board were led to safety. Fourteen had suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation.
Eurostar said it "did not expect" to operate any services on Friday.Eurostar said it "did not expect" to operate any services on Friday.
Passengers were still arriving at St Pancras International in London on Friday hoping services to the Continent would resume.Passengers were still arriving at St Pancras International in London on Friday hoping services to the Continent would resume.
A spokeswoman said about 30,000 passengers were due to travel on 50 Eurostar services on Friday and they would be offered a full refund or exchange.A spokeswoman said about 30,000 passengers were due to travel on 50 Eurostar services on Friday and they would be offered a full refund or exchange.
"We checked the website around 9pm," said finance manager Kirsty McIntyre, who had planned to spend the weekend in the Champagne region."We checked the website around 9pm," said finance manager Kirsty McIntyre, who had planned to spend the weekend in the Champagne region.
"It just said delays are expected but it didn't say anything about cancelled services, so we came today and it's not happening. We are going to see if we can get a bus to Dover and a ferry to Calais.""It just said delays are expected but it didn't say anything about cancelled services, so we came today and it's not happening. We are going to see if we can get a bus to Dover and a ferry to Calais."
Others who had planned to take the Eurostar on Thursday and were unable to get hotel accommodation were forced to sleep in the station.Others who had planned to take the Eurostar on Thursday and were unable to get hotel accommodation were forced to sleep in the station.
See graphic of Channel Tunnel See graphic of Channel Tunnel
Groom among stranded passengersGuide to Channel TunnelGroom among stranded passengersGuide to Channel Tunnel
The tunnel carries Eurostar express trains between London, Paris and Brussels, as well as freight and passenger shuttles between Folkestone and Calais.The tunnel carries Eurostar express trains between London, Paris and Brussels, as well as freight and passenger shuttles between Folkestone and Calais.
French officials said the UK-bound lorry, which is understood to have overturned on the shuttle train, was carrying the chemical phenol, a toxic product used by the pharmaceutical industry. The source of the blaze has not yet been identified but French officials confirmed a UK-bound lorry, which is understood to have overturned on the shuttle train, was carrying the chemical phenol, a toxic product used by the pharmaceutical industry.
Eurotunnel chairman Jacque Gounon told French radio some traffic could resume on Friday.Eurotunnel chairman Jacque Gounon told French radio some traffic could resume on Friday.
"I think, without making any promise, that the service could get back to half capacity during the day," he said."I think, without making any promise, that the service could get back to half capacity during the day," he said.
He added that the northbound tunnel, where the fire took place, would be closed for several weeks.He added that the northbound tunnel, where the fire took place, would be closed for several weeks.
The BBC's Europe editor, Mark Mardell, said Mr Gounon would not speculate on the cause of the fire, saying only that nothing had been ruled out or in.
He added an investigation could only begin once the affected area had cooled down enough to enable the removal of the train.
'Something accidental''Something accidental'
The blaze broke out yesterday just before 1500 BST on a train carrying lorries from Folkestone to Calais.The blaze broke out yesterday just before 1500 BST on a train carrying lorries from Folkestone to Calais.
Thirty-two people, including seven Britons, were evacuated to the service tunnel and a train ferried them back to France. More than 300 French and British firefighters tackled the blaze overnight.Thirty-two people, including seven Britons, were evacuated to the service tunnel and a train ferried them back to France. More than 300 French and British firefighters tackled the blaze overnight.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service said 14 appliances and around 70 firefighters were still at the scene. Kent Fire and Rescue Service said 14 appliances and about 60 firefighters were still at the scene.
Emergency services from East and West Sussex, London and Essex were also providing support.Emergency services from East and West Sussex, London and Essex were also providing support.
Chief Fire Officer Bill Feeley, of Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said a large crew was needed because of the difficult and tiring conditions and would remain in place until the emergency services were satisfied the fire was completely extinguished.
Sections of the M20 remain closedSections of the M20 remain closed
France's transport minister Dominique Bussereau told French radio station Europe-1 the cause appeared to be "something accidental".France's transport minister Dominique Bussereau told French radio station Europe-1 the cause appeared to be "something accidental".
The closure has caused huge tailbacks on roads near the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone as dozens of lorries have been forced to park on the M20 and other surrounding roads.The closure has caused huge tailbacks on roads near the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone as dozens of lorries have been forced to park on the M20 and other surrounding roads.
Kent Police say sections of the motorway - between junctions eight and nine - are still being used to queue lorries as part of Operation Stack and are advising motorists to avoid the area.Kent Police say sections of the motorway - between junctions eight and nine - are still being used to queue lorries as part of Operation Stack and are advising motorists to avoid the area.
Superintendent Peter Wedlake said: "We anticipate there will be some congestion.Superintendent Peter Wedlake said: "We anticipate there will be some congestion.
"People heading coastbound from Maidstone down towards Folkestone and Dover won't be able to use the M20.""People heading coastbound from Maidstone down towards Folkestone and Dover won't be able to use the M20."
The Channel Tunnel has suffered several incidents since it opened to traffic in 1994 although only one - a fire in 1996 - caused serious injuries.The Channel Tunnel has suffered several incidents since it opened to traffic in 1994 although only one - a fire in 1996 - caused serious injuries.
In August 2006, 34 people had to be led to safety after a fire broke out on a lorry being carried on a freight train.In August 2006, 34 people had to be led to safety after a fire broke out on a lorry being carried on a freight train.
The fire caused £200m worth of damage and burned for more than five hours, wrecking the concrete lining and facilities over about half a mile of tunnel.The fire caused £200m worth of damage and burned for more than five hours, wrecking the concrete lining and facilities over about half a mile of tunnel.
Security exercises are staged in the Channel Tunnel by police, fire and ambulance services from both England and France to ensure preparedness for such incidents.Security exercises are staged in the Channel Tunnel by police, fire and ambulance services from both England and France to ensure preparedness for such incidents.
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