Injuries reported in Channel Tunnel fire
Channel Tunnel closed after fire reportedly breaks out on freight train
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Thursday, 11, Sep 2008 07:40
The Channel Tunnel has been closed after a fire broke out on a lorry travelling in a freight train, with injuries reported.
Eurotunnel said travel between the UK and the continent was suspended while Kent fire and rescue service said it was dealing with a serious incident in the north-running tunnel.
Thirty-two people on board the freight shuttle were taken into the service tunnel where they were subsequently picked up and taken to the service tunnel.
According to the AFP news agency 14 people were injured in the fire. It cited a French government official saying eight suffered smoke inhalation while six others received more minor injuries.
A spokesman for South East Coast ambulance service told inthenews.co.uk five of its vehicles, including four ambulances, were at the scene.
Kent firefighters were called to the incident on the French side of the tunnel at 14:57 BST, with the fire being extinguished shortly afterwards.
Seven fire engines are at the scene, the service said, working in conjunction with their French counterparts.
Hundreds of passengers in both the UK and France have been stranded by the disruption caused by the fire. Operation Stack has been implemented by Kent police, resulting in the closure of junctions eight and nine on the coastbound section of the M20.
A statement from Kent police said: "Traffic on the M20 is heavy around Dover and Eurotunnel and drivers are urged to avoid the area unless it is absolutely necessary or delay their travel arrangements."