Fire closes trains into south London

London, Apr 26: Trains were shut and more than 200 people evacuated today because of a large fire near railway tracks in south London, the fire brigade and Southeastern trains said.

''A range of buildings of one or two floors in an area of 150 by 50 metres, 60 per cent of buildings are alight,'' a fire brigade spokeswoman said.

The fire took place on Canal Approach, near Deptford Park in Lewisham.

The spokeswoman said a 200 metre exclusion zone had been thrown up around the area and about 200 people evacuated by police. No one was hurt and about 40 firefighting trucks were on the scene.

Southeastern said all trains had been cancelled into busy London Bridge, Cannon Street and Waterloo East stations.

Some services were being diverted to Blackfriars and Victoria, but passengers were advised to delay travel.

Information was posted online at southeasternrailway.co.uk.

Reuters>