A regular Tuesday morning in central London turned into a scene of smoke and sirens after a van burst into flames just outside St Pancras International, one of Britain’s busiest transport hubs.
What started as an ordinary commute quickly turned into disruption and confusion for hundreds of travellers.
Fireball Ignites Panic at Major London Station
Shortly after 10am, fire crews were called to Midland Road, right outside the entrance of St Pancras, where a van had caught fire and was already engulfed in flames.
People nearby watched in shock as thick smoke poured into the air, casting a dark cloud over the station and neighbouring King’s Cross.
Passengers Told to Stay Clear as Crews Respond
The fire prompted an immediate evacuation of the area around the station, with officials urging passengers to stay away.
The London Fire Brigade quickly took the lead on the emergency response, supported by police units who helped control the scene.
In total, two fire engines and around 10 firefighters from Kentish Town station were dispatched to tackle the blaze.
According to officials, it took just under 45 minutes to bring the situation under control.
Fire Completely Destroys Vehicle
By 11:01am, the flames were out—but not before the van was completely destroyed.
Firefighters remained on site to “douse off” the surrounding area and ensure everything was safe.
The charred remains of the vehicle were left as a stark reminder of the morning’s drama.
Investigation Underway Into Mysterious Blaze
At this stage, authorities say the cause of the fire is still unknown.
The London Fire Brigade confirmed they are conducting a full investigation.
The Met Police added that, while they attended the scene, the fire response was being handled directly by fire officials.
Thankfully, there were no injuries reported—though the incident caused major disruption in the area.
Travel Disruption and Road Closures Follow Incident
With emergency crews and fire engines stationed outside the terminal, nearby bus services were diverted.
Road closures were put in place as a safety measure, and people were advised to steer clear of the area for the time being.
The scene, near two of London’s most important travel connections—St Pancras and King’s Cross—caused concern among commuters, but fire officials managed to control the situation quickly and efficiently.
More Updates Awaited From Network Rail
So far, Network Rail has not issued a statement on the incident or potential service delays, but MailOnline has reached out to them for further comment.
It’s unclear at this point if the station’s train services were impacted, though passengers experienced delays in the surrounding area.