Eight fire engines respond to huge blaze near London station with all services suspended

Firefighters are battling a blaze that broke out close to Hackney Downs Station in east London this evening.

The London Fire Brigade dispatched eight fire engines to Cottrill Gardens after receiving more than twenty emergency calls reporting the incident at roughly 6.10pm.

Crews from Homerton, Leyton, Whitechapel and neighbouring stations were deployed to tackle the flames, including some 60 fiefighters.

According to the LFB, the fire has engulfed a static caravan, a pair of vehicles and a section of grassy embankment.

Dramatic images from the scene show substantial flames and thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky.

While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, the incident has thrown rail services into disarray across the area.

Transport for London has confirmed the Mildmay Line is completely suspended between Gospel Oak and Stratford, with severe delays affecting the remainder of the route for the rest of the day.

The Weaver Line, which was initially halted, has now resumed operating but passengers face significant delays.

A TfL spokesman said: "There is a lineside fire close to Hackney Central station where LFB is in attendance.

"Mildmay line is suspended between Gospel Oak and Stratford. There are also severe delays on the rest of the Mildmay line."

National Rail has also confirmed widespread disruption stemming from the incident.

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Services operating between London Liverpool Street and Seven Sisters or Tottenham Hale face potential cancellations or delays of up to twenty minutes.

Travellers heading to the airport are among those affected, with Stansted Express services between Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport subject to cancellations, delays or alterations.

Greater Anglia passengers have experienced problems on routes from Liverpool Street to Audley End, as well as services to Enfield Town and Cheshunt.

The disruption across the network is anticipated to continue through this evening.