Gatwick Airport’s station has been evacuated and emergency services scrambled to the scene after a train appeared to catch fire this afternoon.
No trains can call at Gatwick Airport train station after a fire alarm which saw all rail passengers evacuated to the South Terminal, a spokesman said.
The National Rail website said Gatwick Express services are suspended and there is a reduced service between Bedford and Three Bridges, with disruption expected to continue until 3pm.
Video footage shared on social media showed a train with black smoke pouring from one carriage and flames close to the track.
The train is believed to be a service from Bournemouth to London Victoria.
Firefighters have been called to the fire involving a passenger train at Gatwick Airport railway station, West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said. According to photos from the scene, at least four fire engines are in attendance.
The rest of Gatwick airport is understood to be functioning normally.
Clare McDonnell, who was on the train which set on fire and recorded video footage of the incident, told : ‘There were white flashes and bangs on the outside of the carriage next to mine as the train pulled in.
‘Passengers on the platform ran away and smoke started to come into the carriage next to mine.
‘Announcements [were] made to get off train and off platform, calm at first and then staff started to raise their voices to get people to understand the urgency of the situation, as we were going up the stairs staff were running down with fire extinguishers and telling people to get out of the way.
‘But they were brilliant and people stayed calm.’
A London Gatwick spokesperson said: ‘Due to a fire alarm activation at the train station, passengers have been evacuated into the South Terminal. The station is closed while emergency services respond to the incident.
‘Teams are responding to the situation and passengers are advised to check before travelling.’
Large crowds formed at the station at Gatwick as frustrated arrivals waited to leave the airport.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, one would-be passenger described the situation: ‘Could one of the many staff all standing around looking a bit confused perhaps update the hundreds/thousands of us here waiting by the train station?
‘Nothing on the loud speaker for those of us waiting for trains. Some staff shouting but impossible to hear.’
In a statement, Gatwick Express said: ‘Gatwick Express services have been suspended and will not run until further notice.
‘You will need to use Southern/Thameslink to Horley/Three Bridges and use local buses to complete your journey.
‘Your ticket will be accepted on Metrobus services between Horsham/Gatwick and Redhill.’
National Rail said the fire meant there would be a reduced service between Bedford and Three Bridges, and rail replacement bus services have been requested.
Some trains are being permitted to drop off passengers only, Thameslink and Southern have said.
Customers are warned to check before they travel.
A spokesperson for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: ‘We are currently responding to a small fire involving a passenger train at Gatwick railway station, South Terminal.
‘Crews from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and Gatwick Fire & Rescue Service are at the scene.
‘All passengers are off the train and the railway station has been evacuated.
‘The station is closed while firefighters respond to the incident.’