Warning over train track fire

Firefighters were called to deal with a fire alongside the railway track off Belmont Road, Flitwick on the evening of November 3rd. Smoke was drifting across the tracks which were busy with commuter trains.

A 999 call was received at 19.02 and two crews from Ampthill, followed a crew from Toddington, were despatched.

Rail authorities closed down the tracks and isolated power whilst firefighters used high pressure hoses to put out a fire which had stretched along 40 metres of trees and hedgerow. Crews were at the scene for an hour.

Station Commander Andy Draper who attended the incident said it was believed the fire was started by children or young people: “Without the fast action of crews the fire would have spread to a larger wooded area of bigger trees which could have caused the rail tracks to be closed for longer.

“Special safety measures have to be taken to allow fire crews to work alongside the track - and this includes stopping trains which is a great inconvenience to many people.

“It goes without saying that playing near railway lines is dangerous and playing with fire, just a deadly. We hope that parents remind their children to play safe so they stay safe.”