Fire at Dorchester South? 08Nov2016

[fairysdad]

Quite surprised not to have seen a thread on this already. (Searched for 'Dorchester fire', and scanned the topic list; apologies if it has already been covered – I blame the forum's search!)

Apparently a train caught fire at Dorchester South this evening:

TRAIN passengers had a miracle escape when a carriage appeared to explode with people aboard.

Incredibly no one was injured in the drama, which unfolded at Dorchester South Station this evening.

. . .

[A passenger] said he heard a ‘loud bang’ and several flashes ‘too bright to look at’ as flames engulfed the carriage several times.

He and a number of people on the platform screamed at those still on the carriage to ‘get off the train’.

Myles [the above-quoted passenger], a Weymouth College student who lives in Dorchester, said: “It was so scary. I make that journey to college and back every day and you just do not expect to see something like that.

“There was a loud bang and I quickly got my phone out to film it because I thought, no one is going to believe this.

“Then there were these really bright flashing lights and everyone was shouting. There were all these sparks, it was like a firework display.”

After the fire stopped, people on the platform rushed towards the train to help get passengers off the carriage and to safety.

Myles said the train was still smoking and people seemed calm.

“Maybe they didn’t realise quite how dramatic it was.”

He added that friends had told him they had seen the flames from Poundbury.

But as quickly as it had started, the drama was over.

Firefighters said the blaze was out on their arrival. And police added that paramedics were called to the scene but were later stood down as no one was hurt.

All trains were cancelled between Moreton and Weymouth, with South West Trains tweeting that the lines were blocked due to an electricity supply problem.

(http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/14...rs_as_carriage_set_alight_with_people_aboard/)

The bit that seems odd is that the fire stopped suddenly, implying that it wasn't actually a fire at all. Indeed, a SWT spokesman is quoted saying: "A problem has been identified with the equipment which delivers the electricity to the third rail"; quite fortunate that if it was an electrical fire, it didn't spread to the train itself.

 

[CarlSilva]

There was a mention on th e bbc earlier. as well
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-37915979

An electrical fault caused sparks to fly, blocked rail lines and disrupted South West Trains services.

The rail firm said the issues were due to electrical supply problems at Dorchester South station in Dorset.

Some onlookers, including David Crane, took to Twitter to describe "very bright flashes and lots of emergency services".

No-one was injured but police, the fire service and ambulance crews attended the scene.

BBC South digital editor Dan Kerins, who was on a train when the problems began at about 18:15 GMT, said: "There was a small spark on the track and, as the train ran over it, it was like a flare had gone off."

 

[dgl]

Turns out no fire just some impressive electrical arcing.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-37915979

An electrical fault caused sparks to fly, blocked rail lines and disrupted South West Trains services.
The rail firm said the issues were due to electrical supply problems at Dorchester South station in Dorset.
Some onlookers, including David Crane, took to Twitter to describe "very bright flashes and lots of emergency services".
No-one was injured but police, the fire service and ambulance crews attended the scene.

https://www.facebook.com/BBCSouthToday/videos/1185945964829325/

Looks like it's possibly away from the bogies. Can't tell from the second video but is that the coach that has the pan well?

 

[tellytype]

Police? To do what exactly, arrest the wiggly amps for a S5 Public Order offence? Wouldn't surprise me in this country...

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Police? To do what exactly, arrest the wiggly amps for a S5 Public Order offence? Wouldn't surprise me in this country...

Probably to clear the station and train of all passengers

 

[NSEFAN]

A quote from the video, "why's everyone so calm, that train almost blew up".

Not that I'd want to be anywhere near a failing high-voltage system, myself.

 

[Pj93lfc]

Probably done a bit of damage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0XwgrSOmbo

 

[3141]

It certainly looks dramatic. So is the Dorset Echo's report. "Flames engulfed the carriage several times." But apparently it seemed a lot less exciting to the people on board.

 

[theironroad]

Severe arcing, due to faulty con rail. dealt with by signaller and driver. No fire. No drama. Unit is in service and line is fully open.

 

[plymothian]

Just been featured on BBC's Close Calls on Camera.