Firefighters battle train fire at Gravesend station
8:12am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Where I Live By Robert Fisk
FIREFIGHTERS from across north Kent were called to battle a train fire at Gravesend station last night (February 6).
Staff called 999 after noticing the underside of a train carriage was alight as it pulled into the station at about 8.40pm.
Five crews from Gravesend, Dartford, Strood and Swanscombe were sent but the operation was scaled back when it was realised the flames were restricted to cabling under the train.
Power was turned off to the tracks in the coastbound direction as a firefighter from Dartford fire station clambered on to the line and under the train to tackle the fire.
The area was too confined for him to wear breathing apparatus so he just had the usual protective gear along with some goggles to stop the smoke and debris from getting into his eyes.
It took the crews around an hour to deal with the incident.
Trains running Londonbound were not affected by the fire.
Were you on the train? Did you see what happened? Call the newsroom on 01689 885702.
