Track side Fire Puts Trains on Flame Delay

Train services travelling to London have been disrupted following damage caused by a track side fire in west London, affecting Great Western Railway (GWR), Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express services. Network Rail said the fire damaged an electrical substation at Kensal Green, resulting in delay to GWR services and a reduced service on both the Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express. The disruption began after British Transport Police (BTP) received reports of a trackside fire in the Scrubs Lane area at about 16:45 BST on Saturday. Passengers on affected trains were evacuated as emergency services dealt with the incident. Arrest Made Over Suspected Arson British Transport Police said a man later attended a central London police station on Saturday and was arrested on suspicion of arson. He was subsequently released on bail while further enquiries continue. No finding of guilt has been made, and the circumstances surrounding the fire remain under investigation. Monday Services Also Hit The disruption continued into Monday, with National Rail arrival board showing a number of cancelled services calling at Reading. Among the cancellations was the 13:52 service from Didcot Parkway, adding to disruption for passengers travelling towards London. Passengers have been advised to check the latest service information before setting out, as timetables and routes may change while repair work and investigations continue. Separate Incident Causes Further Disruption Adding to the problems for commuters, GWR said on Monday morning that the line between Reading and London Paddington was blocked after a vehicle collided with a bridge. The railway operator expected this separate disruption to continue until around 12:30, meaning passengers faced the possibility of further delays and cancellations on an already disrupted route. The incident highlight how damage to railway infrastructure can quickly affect services across multiple lines, particularly on busy routes serving London and major transport hubs such as Heathrow.