A major fire that tore through four railway arches in South Harrow, west London, has forced the closure of part of the Piccadilly line, causing significant travel disruption for commuters this morning.
The blaze, which erupted in the early hours near Roxeth Green Avenue, quickly escalated, with gas cylinder explosions intensifying the danger.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) crews were called to the scene around 1:20 am and battled the flames with around 100 firefighters. The fire was finally contained by 4:00 am, but it left significant destruction in its wake.
The railway arches, which had housed several local businesses, including vehicle repair workshops, were entirely reduced to ruins.
Thankfully, no injuries have been reported, but the incident has had a major impact on transport services. There are currently no Piccadilly line trains running between Uxbridge and South Harrow, with severe westbound delays stretching as far back as Acton Town.
Station Commander Graham Beers, who was at the scene, said: “Crews arrived to face a substantial fire, with flames threatening nearby properties.
Thanks to their swift and determined efforts, we were able to bring the situation under control and prevent the fire from spreading further, but sadly, four business units have been completely lost.”
Passengers trying to reach destinations in west London are facing long delays and crowded alternative routes as TfL works to manage the disruption.
Commuters have been urged to check travel updates and consider other transport options while the affected section of the Piccadilly line remains closed.
While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, the immediate focus remains on ensuring the area is safe and restoring transport links as quickly as possible.
