Fire on Networker unit blocks Southeastern commuter line (video)

A Kent commuter line was blocked for several hours on Tuesday after a fire broke out on a Networker unit. 

Units 465001 and 466037 had formed the 1355 Ashford International to London Victoria on October 15 when the small blaze, believed to be an overheating axle, began on the latter at Bearsted. 

Around 40 passengers who were on board at the time were evacuated by the driver and conductor without anyone being injured. 

The line between Ashford and Maidstone East was blocked in both directions while the fire was extinguished, before the down line was reopened in the evening. 

Video of the incident was filmed by Marcus Galloway:

However, the units remained in the station for the rest of the day, leading to up services being cancelled or diverted. 

Engineers were eventually able to move the train in the early hours of Wednesday, with a wheelskate used to get it moving at 0224. It eventually returned to Ashford at 0337. 

A Southeastern spokesman said: "Work is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire and to assess what repairs are required."