A train is on fire on the tracks just outside Newton Abbot this afternoon (Sunday, March 22). Photos from the scene show emergency services, including fire engines, at the scene. Smoke is also visible, appearing to come from one ofthe carriages. Passengers travelling between Exeter and Plymouth and Exeter and Paignton saw widespread cancellations and delays as emergency services worked at the scene of the blaze, running hoses across the tracks.

Police also closed off a large section of the A380 to allow crews to access the site easily. Eyewitness Alan Bryant saw the incident unfold in front of him. Speaking to Devon Live he said: "[The] train driver attempted to put out fire with a fire extinguisher shortly before fire engines arrived.

"In total six fire engines, many police cars & paramedics arrived at the scene. One traffic lane (A380) going towards Penn Inn from Torquay is closed.

"Fire looks out but firemen are spraying it to keep it cool. Cannot see any passengers whether they are still on the train or off it, cannot believe if the train was empty, surely there must have been some passengers. I live over-looking the line and saw the flames under the train engine before the fire engines arrived."

According to train apps and live trackers, several trains to London have also been cancelled, including the services from Exeter St Davids to Paignton, supposed to have been arriving in at 4.02pm.

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