Video: Commuter train catches fire in South East London

The Victoria to Dartford train caught fire as it pulled into Denmark Hill station at around 6pm last night

Dozens of passengers were forced to flee from a commuter train after it caught fire while travelling in South East London last night.

The London Fire Brigade was called to the scene as the South Eastern train travelling from Victoria to Dartford caught fire as it pulled into Denmark Hill station, Dulwich at around 6 pm.

In a video captured by one of the passengers, the footage shows sparks flying from the side of the carriage and flames appearing on the underside of the moving train.

According to those on the train, there were scenes of panic after the fire was spotted, with passengers clambering to try and escape the train.

Dave Dalrymple-Pryd, 25, who captured footage of the fire on his phone, told The Evening Standard: “We were coming into the station. There was a bit of smoke and some flames, it was really hot by the window.

“When it got into the station smoke was going into the carriage everyone moved up towards the door. Someone shouted ‘Don’t run out of that door’.

“We jumped out – it kept flashing and there were puffs of flames like a very weak explosion.”

Others said that a bang from below the carriage was quickly followed by the sparks and flames.

Firefighters were able to put out the fire but a spokeswoman from the LFB said that platform two at Denmark Hill Station remains closed.

The LFB and South Eastern confirmed that an investigation was under way, but as of yet still unclear as to what caused the fire.

A statement from South Eastern read: “Emergency services dealt with a fire underneath a train at Denmark Hill station last night. All passengers and staff on board the 17.56 Victoria-Dartford service were taken off the train safely when it arrived at the station and the area was evacuated to allow access for the fire brigade. Investigations into the incident are already underway and involve both the track and the train. At this stage it is too early to speculate on the cause of the incident.

“Trains between London Victoria and Dartford are running normally today and Denmark Hill station reopened late last night.”