Heathrow and Paddington train services resume after grass fire disruption
Train services linking London Paddington with Heathrow Airport and Reading resumed normal operations following a major trackside grass fire.
Train services linking London Paddington with Heathrow Airport and Reading resumed normal operations on Sunday, 6 September 2026, following major disruptions caused by a trackside grass fire that halted travel across the western rail corridor. The Standard reported that the blaze damaged the electricity supply near the railway, forcing cancellations and stranding hundreds of commuters during a busy Saturday.
The emergency began shortly after 4.10pm on Saturday, 5 September 2026, when a grass fire ignited near Scrubs Lane in North Kensington, near the Elizabeth line depot at Old Oak Common. Lbc noted that the blaze triggered an immediate electricity supply failure, blocking all lines between the major transport hub and Heathrow Airport. Photos from Network Rail subsequently showed burned cables beside the track.
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The London Fire Brigade responded with six fire engines and approximately 40 crew members to tackle the flames. During the incident, 380 passengers were left stranded on an Elizabeth Line train and were safely evacuated by the fire service working alongside Transport for London (TfL). Social media images showed large plumes of smoke rising from the Paddington area and crowds of frustrated passengers gathering on platforms.
Operators including the Heathrow Express, the Elizabeth Line, and Great Western Railway (GWR) experienced widespread suspensions and cancellations. TravelMole highlighted that travelers attempting to reach flights faced severe hurdles, while the BBC reported that crowds gathered on platforms at Paddington as services were severely curtailed. Passengers were advised to use the Piccadilly line or local bus services, though the Piccadilly line itself experienced separate delays due to an earlier trespasser at Hammersmith.
| Operator / Service | Saturday Disruption Status | Sunday Recovery Status |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Line | Suspended between Paddington, Heathrow, and Reading; severe line-wide delays | Resumed with amended timetable after morning engineering works |
| Heathrow Express | Cancelled in both directions for the rest of the evening | Normal services resumed |
| Great Western Railway (GWR) | Cancelled or terminated at Reading; disruption through the end of the day | Good service reported across most of the network |
By Sunday morning, National Rail had declared the disruption ended. However, passengers faced additional complications from pre-planned engineering work between London Paddington and Burnham, which closed lines early in the morning and restricted Elizabeth Line services between Paddington and Ealing Broadway until 7.40am. GWR also operated amended early schedules, and a separate power cut at Manor Park caused trains to run non-stop between Ilford and Forest Gate.
The incident follows recent warnings from meteorological authorities regarding heightened wildfire risks across southeast England. TravelMole and the BBC noted that the Met Office Fire Severity Index rated wildfire risk as exceptional in parts of London, including Heathrow, following earlier summer heatwaves and previous airfield grass fires that forced flight diversions.
Travellers are advised to check live updates via National Rail or Transport for London before embarking on journeys across the network. For further updates on related rail and transit developments, consult our Transport coverage.
