Wildfires wreak havoc with passengers evacuated from trains to major London airport

Major wildfires next to a busy rail track have stopped trains from running to a major London airport.

Huge plumes of smoke were seen for miles across north London as fire engines tackled a grass fire near in Waltham Abbey, Essex on Sunday.

At least 50 people reported the grass fire breaking out to the side of the tracks at around 2pm.

At the fires height around 14 hectares of field, about the size of 20 football pitches, were burning next to the River Lea.

People are seen being taken off trains as they grind to a halt on the way to Stansted Airport.

A spokesperson from Rammey Marsh Cruising Club told Metro: ‘There are quite often fires on the marsh by the River Lea. But we were told they had sorted it out.’

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said the fire was under control by 5pm after burning for three hours.

They said: ‘At the height of the fire, around 14 hectares of grassland was alight.

‘Traffic on the M25 is likely to remain affected due to earlier smoke travel in the area. As an additional precaution, train services from Waltham Cross have been suspended.

‘Crews used water backpacks and wildfire beaters to tackle the fire. Wildfire beaters are made of a long handle with a flat piece of rubber at the end, they’re used to beat the flames, depriving them of oxygen and cooling down the area.’

A Stansted Express spokesperson said: ‘Train services running through this station may be delayed or diverted via Seven Sisters. Disruption is expected until further notice.

‘Unfortunately, we have received reports of multiple fires close to the railway lines and as a result, and a safety precaution, the London Fire Brigade have instructed that all train movements in the area be stopped.

‘In reaction trains towards and from Liverpool Street will be diverted via Seven Sisters until further notice.

‘Network Rail and the emergency response team are on site working as quickly as possible to put out the fires and restore the train service to normal.’