Green light for Channel Tunnel after fire on lorry forced closure

Published on 18/01/2015 - 05:20

Firefighters give all-clear for Channel Tunnel after a lorry fire saw trains cancelled

Firefighters have given the all-clear for Channel Tunnel services to resume after a lorry fire saw trains cancelled on Saturday.

Though the smouldering truck had not caused significant damage, Eurotunnel warned of delays of up to one hour, with only one of the tunnels being reopened.

SERVICE UPDATE: We plan to run a near normal service tomorrow for those passengers who have a current booking for Sunday, albeit +delays >
— Eurostar (@Eurostar) January 17, 2015

Gosh, huge queue of 300-400 people waiting to rebook Eurostar</a> because it's cancelled. Nightmare. <a href="http://t.co/Eu8FFkh6Mw">pic.twitter.com/Eu8FFkh6Mw</a></p>— Johnny Chatterton (j_chatterton) January 17, 2015

Up to 26 trains were cancelled, leaving passengers in London and Paris and Brussels stranded.

“We can’t get home to Belgium, so we’ll have to queue up and hope we can get back tomorrow,” said one passenger on Saturday night.

Another said: “We’ll hopefully get a room somewhere to spend the night. But most hostels I’ve called are fully booked. So, I’m not quite sure what I’m gonna do next.”

The rail operator had warned that those who had reservations for Saturday shouldn’t come to stations unless they had already been re-booked.

UPDATE: for those unable to travel today (Sat) – & whose travel is urgent – pls call 03432 186 186 for a free change (availability allowing)
— Eurostar (@Eurostar) January 17, 2015

Passengers travelling by car were redirected onto ferries, but many were left waiting hours without word on whether they would make it to their destination.

“I’ve spent more than five hours on the road. I left Berlin at 5am, so I’d like to sleep in my own bed, over in Great-Britain,” said one disgruntled traveller.

The fire occurred on the French side of the tunnel, forcing trains en route back to their point of origin, while 42 people were evacuated from the truck shuttle.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.

CHANNEL TUNNEL: Delays of 3 hours at Eurotunnel due to an unconfirmed "fire" and tunnel inspection. Pic rowdy1dog</a> <a href="http://t.co/xSyX0kkiXo">pic.twitter.com/xSyX0kkiXo</a></p>— Kent 999s (Kent_999s) May 27, 2013

Although not everyone was upset.

Excellent customer service from #eurostar yesterday after delay due to intruders on train-welcome snacks #thanks pic.twitter.com/poMG2peX7Q
— Em (@RumpledRuth) January 4, 2015

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