Firefighters extinguish van blaze outside St Pancras station as thick smoke halts travel and triggers evacuation in central London

What was supposed to be a routine Tuesday morning commute quickly turned into a scene of smoke and confusion outside one of London’s busiest transport hubs.

Passengers near St Pancras International were evacuated after a van suddenly caught fire, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky and prompting emergency services to rush to the scene.

Fireball Erupts Outside Major Rail Station

The blaze broke out just after 10 a.m. outside St Pancras station on Midland Road, right in the heart of central London.

According to eyewitnesses, the van became completely engulfed in flames, turning into a fireball as stunned bystanders looked on.

The dramatic incident sent plumes of smoke swirling over nearby streets and buildings—including the neighboring King’s Cross station—causing concern among commuters and locals alike.

Emergency Services Rush to Tackle the Blaze

The London Fire Brigade responded swiftly, dispatching two fire engines and around 10 firefighters from Kentish Town station.

The fire was brought under control within 45 minutes, with crews officially declaring it extinguished by 11:01 a.m.

In total, eight emergency calls were made to alert fire services about the burning vehicle.

While the flames were put out quickly, firefighters remained on-site to cool down surrounding areas and monitor for any flare-ups.

No Injuries Reported but Area Sealed Off

Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident, but authorities didn’t take any chances.

Police and fire crews quickly cordoned off the area, rerouting traffic and asking the public to avoid the scene until it was fully secured.

Nearby bus routes were diverted, and road closures remained in place as the investigation into the cause of the fire began.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed they were present, but said the incident was being led by the London Fire Brigade, with the cause still officially unknown at this stage.

Commuters Urged to Stay Away from the Scene

With the area around St Pancras and King’s Cross already a busy hotspot, the sudden evacuation and diversions caused travel headaches for commuters trying to reach work or catch trains.

Officials warned people to steer clear of the area while cleanup efforts continued.

As of now, Network Rail has yet to release an official statement, and investigators are still working to determine what sparked the sudden blaze.