Disruption at London Victoria expected to continue all day due to fire near Clapham Junction

Commuters travelling through London Victoria are urged to use other stations after fire damage near the tracks.

Rush hour journeys have been hampered this morning after a trackside fire near Clapham Junction struck yesterday.

Vital signalling equipment was damaged after being engulfed by flames.

The worst affected services include Southern and Gatwick Express trains to and from Victoria, including to Gatwick Airport.

Trains that can run are expected to be extremely busy, and trains between Clapham Junction and London Victoria Hill face delays of up to 60 minutes.

National Rail said: ‘If you are planning to travel to or from London Victoria this morning, you are strongly advised to use an alternative London terminal instead.

‘An extremely reduced train service is running to and from London Victoria until at least 12:00, as emergency engineering repairs have been taking place overnight and throughout this morning.

‘We strongly advise that you delay travelling until later today or use an alternative route. Where possible, please travel into alternative London terminals and use the London Underground to complete your journey.

‘A limited half-hourly service will operate between London Victoria and East Croydon. These trains are expected to be extremely busy and should only be used if you cannot delay your journey or are unable to travel via an alternative terminal.’

Footage from the scene of the fire shows firefighters hosing down the smouldering remains of the signalling equipment, which appears to have burned to the ground.

Major disruption is expected to last at least until 2pm, National Rail said.

A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade told WTX that the cause of the fire is believed to have been ‘accidental.’

They said: ‘Firefighters were called to a fire near a railway station on Queenstown Road in Nine Elms.

‘The fire caused damage to trackside signalling equipment and an area of shrubbery and grassland. There are no reports of any injuries.

‘Control Officers took the first of nine calls at 1408 (27/09) and mobilised two fire engines from Clapham and Battersea fire stations to the scene. The fire was extinguished by 1510.’