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Rubbish fire at station leads to train delays

12:35pm Thursday 8th May 2008

comment Comments (59)   Have your say »


TRAIN services are being disrupted because of an earlier fire at Woolwich Dockyard station.

A pile of rubbish on a track close to a platform edge was alight at around 7.40am and five cables were damaged.

This section of track is still closed and Southeastern is running trains from London to Kent as a shuttle service' to bypass the station.

Passengers can travel from London Bridge to Charlton but will then need to get on a bus from Charlton to Plumstead before boarding a train from Plumstead to Dartford.

Normal service is expected to resume by around 2pm.

London Underground, Docklands Light Railway and buses are allowing passengers with Southeastern train tickets to travel on all reasonable routes.

Rail replacement buses are also running on the route.

The station was evacuated when the fire was discovered and the power to the lines was switched off while firefighters tackled the flames.

One train, the 7.16am from Dartford to Charing Cross, was stuck between Woolwich Arsenal and Woolwich Dockyard stations when the electricity supply was turned off.

The passengers on the service were taken back to Woolwich Arsenal.

A Southeastern spokesman said: "This has caused considerable disruption and we regret any delay which has been caused to people's journeys.

"We have done our best to try to deal with the situation."

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Me, Belvedere says...
11:23am Thu 8 May 08

Took me 2 and half hours to get to work today, had to go back out to Dartford to get a train back in!!! Complete nightmare...best leave work now just to get home at a reasonable time!

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H, Thamesmead says...
11:49am Thu 8 May 08

I come in from Abbey Wood. Had heard about the problems so got bus straight to Barnehurst. Should be in work by 9.30, was in by 10.15, so not bad at all really.

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laura, Erith. says...
11:50am Thu 8 May 08

Took me near 3 hours to get to work today thanks to the fire. NOT IMPRESSED!! Had to get a cab to Dartford as all buses were not stopping for any of us trying to get to a station- all were too crammed with people in the same boat.. NIGHTMARE. Then, to top it all off.. the train didn't even stop at London Bridge but by-passed it entirely due to congestion!! I then had to make my way back after waiting for a train for 20+ mins. Should have stayed at home...

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lou, says...
12:06pm Thu 8 May 08

I wonder who started the fire?
Often vandals cause many people a lot of trouble and the train company gets the blame - of course it may not be vandals but a maintainence problem........ Hope everyone has a better journey home

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Claire, DA8 says...
12:26pm Thu 8 May 08

Took me 3 hours this morning - apparently it was something to do with the actualy train, something attached to it burst into flames? Sounded serious from what I heard but things do tend to get blown out of proportion. I hope no one on the train was hurt.

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ANON, da8 says...
1:15pm Thu 8 May 08

all because of a bin bag?!!!

maybe the train companies should start cleaning the rubbish off the side of the tracks!

also, why do bus passengers all crowd round the doors and not go upstairs when there is space? this prevents others getting on the bus! selfish people!

will the london underground ever be extended to bexley???


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s, belvedere says...
1:17pm Thu 8 May 08

Same here - took me 3hrs to get to work at a cost of parking at NCP car park so that i could still get to work!

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CharltonDan, Sidcup says...
1:43pm Thu 8 May 08

No problems for me on the Sidcup line

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Carolyn Anderson, Dartford says...
1:47pm Thu 8 May 08

Took me just under 4 hours to get from Dartford to Teddington this morning. Left home at 7, got to work at 10:50am. I hope this evening is ok!! That's just too much travelling.

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Pink Kitten, London says...
2:04pm Thu 8 May 08

Oh look the great british public at it's best, you can't moan and groan about the weather because it has been lovely, so you all start moaning about your journey into work.
Do stop moaning!

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Can Crusher, London says...
2:18pm Thu 8 May 08

When I got to my train station this morning, I was not surprised that there were no trains as I had properly prepared and planned my jorney prior to leaving my house. Maybe a little forward thinking next time people!

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Debbie, London says...
2:30pm Thu 8 May 08

I was on the train 07:23 train from Woolwich Arsenal station this morning and as we arrived in Woolwich Dockyard we heard a massive bang followed by huge flames and lots of smoke.

I doubt it was a rubbish bag that caused the fire but it was definitely something on the track.

What worried me more was that the driver made the decision to carry on with the journey!!! How could he make decision like that when heh clearly could not see if the the train itself was on fire. The train should have been cleared and the station evacuated!

I got off the train and saw some flames under Platform 2 and my friend & I advised the station supervisor to call 999.

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Pink Kitten, London says...
2:32pm Thu 8 May 08

Maybe the driver could hear you lot on the train moaning and groaning and decided to terminate the train for the very last time! Who could blame him?

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Debbie, says...
2:36pm Thu 8 May 08

Hi Pink Kitten,
I wasn't moaning - I just wanted to share what had happened :-)
Cheers

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Can Crusher, london says...
2:37pm Thu 8 May 08

Thats right "Pink Kitten", if only there were more people like you in the world.....rather then these busy bodies that like to feel important calling 999 all the time!

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Kelly, Bromley says...
3:09pm Thu 8 May 08

Can Crusher wrote:
Thats right "Pink Kitten", if only there were more people like you in the world.....rather then these busy bodies that like to feel important calling 999 all the time!
Anyone else get the impression that Can Crusher and Pink Kitten could be the same person?

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Katie, Bexleyheath says...
3:42pm Thu 8 May 08

"Pink Kitten" how about you try commuting to work on a packed train, that you have paid extreme prices to board, in this heat, with people coughing, smelly armpits, and delays for 2 hours instead of sitting on your arse on this website, then maybe you could comment on the fact that people were irritated with the fact they was late to work today.

Need to get a life your embarassing yourself.

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Me, Belvedere says...
3:53pm Thu 8 May 08

Well said Katie. Sounds like "Pink Kitten" need to get off its backside and get a job, rather that slating everyone....and "Can Crusher" should do the same! :o)

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R-Jones, Plumstead says...
3:59pm Thu 8 May 08

I was in the rear carriage of the 07:23 from Woolwich Dockyard that came across the smoke. It smelled of paper burning and was white. There were clouds of it as we came into the station - hard to tell if it had been there before we arrived.

The doors didn't open for a while, then they did (and people got off). The driver didn't just drive off - I saw him run down to the back of the train and see where the smoke was coming from, then he ran back, made an announcement and pulled out the station. So I guess he was checking it wasn't the train, and given it wasn't, the safest thing to do was to get everyone out of there rather than have a trainful of people getting up the narrow steps at Woolwich Dockyard through the smoke.

Report this post »

Pink Kitten, London says...
4:17pm Thu 8 May 08

I have a job thank you and I drive to work so I do not have to put up with smelly armpits, delays and people like you!

Report this post »

Me, Belvedere says...
4:27pm Thu 8 May 08

I cant even bother to reply...whatever we say, you will just have an answer that is just as stupid as the your previous ones!

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Laura, says...
4:32pm Thu 8 May 08

Stinky Kitten you talk cr@p!!!! All you do is insult people and the comments they make!! Seeing as you drive to "work" then you don't really have a place to comment on this subject so why not go be rude to someone else! P.S. Does anyone have any travel updates?

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Tiggs, Thamesmead says...
4:36pm Thu 8 May 08

Pink Kitten will you ever shut up..you weren't there like the rest of us and didn't have to deal with your boss when you were late getting into work...

I was at Woolwich Dockyard just after the whole thing happened. I still have hair that smells of smoke due to the amount of smoke coming onto the platform...I had to get a bus to Lewisham and then get a packed train from there which was also delayed..thankully I had left early dismorning so I was only ten mins late for work but still...I hope its better on the way home..Good Luck everyone.. :-)

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Laura, says...
4:47pm Thu 8 May 08

Looks like there are still delays peeps!!

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JACKIE, Belvedere says...
4:55pm Thu 8 May 08

PINK KITTEN - Why dont you try using the service, hours upon hours of traveling, people like you do make me laugh, leaving comments like u just have, left my house at 7.45AM, finally managed to get to Barehurst, a train from there to London Bridge. Bless

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Can Crusher, London says...
5:07pm Thu 8 May 08

I think it is pretty out of order thay you have just rubbished Pink Kittens comments like that. Its true that you all can't stop moaning, anyone would think that the world was about to end. It is not her fault that you are highly stung individuals that have CHOSEN to live so far away from your place of work that you have such a long commute. Anyway, must go and blow the top off a couple of cold ones while everyone else tries to push their way onto a train.

Ta da xx

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Lou, says...
9:40pm Thu 8 May 08

Can Crusher wrote:
I think it is pretty out of order thay you have just rubbished Pink Kittens comments like that. Its true that you all can't stop moaning, anyone would think that the world was about to end. It is not her fault that you are highly stung individuals that have CHOSEN to live so far away from your place of work that you have such a long commute. Anyway, must go and blow the top off a couple of cold ones while everyone else tries to push their way onto a train. Ta da xx
Who says these people live a long way from work, most could probably drive but they are thinking of the environment and the time it would take and the lack of parking up in the city. Can crusher is obviously just the same kind of uncaring type as pink kitten (silly names people give themselves).

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hurdygurdy, Woolwich Arsenal says...
11:20pm Thu 8 May 08

I usuall get in at work 9:30, got in at 11 today, several buses passed me. Decided to go to by bus from Woolwich to Lewisham and get a train from there.
As long as it's fixed tomorrow I don't care, it was a smashing day and I'd soon forgotten about the trouble as I had lunch in Regents park with my work mates.

P.S. I don't moan about this incident, maybe because I'm Swedish?

By the way, how do we know this wasn't a bomb put out to try and derail a full train in the rush hour. It's (sadly) happened before.

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local, erith says...
1:02am Fri 9 May 08

sounds like the locals have been trying to strip cables again

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vern, west wickham says...
7:44am Fri 9 May 08

This was apparantly called a "Rubbish" fire.

so the people of Woolwich cannnot even start a proper fire.

In WW we would never have a "rubbish" fire.

Our fires would be of a high quality and be fierce.

Report this post »

charlotte, bromley says...
9:02am Fri 9 May 08

What a nightmare getting home last nigh.I live in bromley took two hours to get home.
Thnak you to whoever cause this fire,Made everyones journey home a misery.


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Pink Kitten, London says...
9:16am Fri 9 May 08

How can you all justify moaning over delays on the train? Have you not seen the news this week? There are people dead, hungry and without homes and you think it is significant to moan about being an hour late for work and having to face your boss?
Let's get things into perspective here.
Like I said previously stop moaning.

Report this post »

AP, At work says...
10:23am Fri 9 May 08

Pinky you talk rubbish. From what I read you like to moan quite a bit.

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lucy, SE London says...
10:32am Fri 9 May 08

I didn't seem to be effected by this in the morning, but on the way home my train was delayed. However, from reading these comments made I think pink kitten you really can't comment on this seeing as you drive to work. I use to drive to work myself and now getting the train and tube every morning, I can a confidently say that you have more of a luxury way of travelling to work. What you do need to understand is this sort of thing that happens now and then is a nuisance and people will moan and groan as it's annoying that you have plans and a job to do and this ruins it completely. You would think however people would be pleased about being a few hours late for work. Also bringing other things into this conversation is not necessary e.g. people dying. I'm sure everyone who read the metro on the way to work yesterday made a donation!

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Pink Kitten, London says...
10:42am Fri 9 May 08

My travel into work is great, I can have a cigarette when I want, I'm not squashed like a sardine, I listen to my radio and if I get stuck in traffic my boss is very understanding as he drives himself. I don't have to put up with people who smell, people with there silly ringtones or people coughing and spluttering their germs around. It's heaven. Happy commuting!

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Me, Belvedere says...
10:47am Fri 9 May 08

Pink Kitten talks such rubbish! I'm surprised your mate The Lord hasnt given his opinion....maybe he does have a job after all and had the same journey as the rest of us!!!

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Pink Kitten, London says...
11:06am Fri 9 May 08

Lord Erastus is away on urgent business. But I will be sure to mention to him that you were asking after him on his return!

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Katie, Bexleyheath says...
11:25am Fri 9 May 08

You say you have a job, yet 24.7 you are on here making pointless, mindless comments about topics that in no way concern you. Doesn't your boss mind? Clearly "pink kitten" and "can crusher" are the same person, if your trying to play that game atleast attempt to not make it so odvious. Anywho, people like myself that work in the city, who pay to travel on these south eastern trains, have the right to comment and moan all they want as there money is being spent on delays, signal problems, packed trains etc. Unlike yourself who has no reason to even be commenting. Oh and in response to "can crusher" - People choose to work in the city for the chance to earn more money , to improve their life styles, provide the best for families, and to work in a high status role where they can do there best. Something you clearly do not understand.

Oh and yes i am going to moan now. Got to Canon St station at around 5.35 last night to find the station was closed and shutters down, after 10mins re-opened only to find my train was cancelled. Then suddenly reappeared. The chaos caused was unbelivable. Put the prices down now this is becoming a joke! Everyday this week i have been delayed and signal problems

That would be all!

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Me, Belvedere says...
11:26am Fri 9 May 08

ahh..are you missing him??? we certainly arent!

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Pink Kitten, London says...
11:31am Fri 9 May 08

Katie,

Odvious?
Anywho?
Unbelivable?

And you work in the City?
I think not.

Report this post »

Katie, Bexleyheath says...
11:36am Fri 9 May 08

I sure do! Im 19 years old and yea i do type in short hand.

Problem? I think not. You can still read and understand everything i have typed correct or am i mistaken?

Thats the best come back you have?

Picking out grammer mistakes?

Pshhh you really are a low life.

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Pink Kitten, London says...
11:41am Fri 9 May 08

You are right Katie it does not matter about spelling when you are employed to make the tea.

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Katie, Bexleyheath says...
11:48am Fri 9 May 08

Very true.

Do you enjoy working in the role of tea girl then pink kitten? Can safely say iv never made tea for nobody in my work and i dont plan to. But each to there own

You do make me chuckle, the amount of rubbish that your fingers type on this website is amazing.

Your probely in your 30/40s and i think many would agree on here that i speak ALOT more sense then you ever have

Your just the lords bum chum. Internet friends are always good i suppose in the sad life your kind live.

You must feel so proud of yourself, you have got far in life. Chatting rubbish on the news shopper website daily.

Hahahaha well im sorry to say my break is over and oneself has to get back to work!

Bless il leave you to it i dont want people to think iv actually got time to be discussing with a loser that calls herself PINK KITTEN.

Happy friday all

x

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Can Crusher, London says...
11:58am Fri 9 May 08

hahaha.......I think this is great.

Katie = if I had a brain I'd be dangerous
Me = Croucthless knickers by night
AP = Knowing me, knowing you!

Yours sincerly

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Pink Kitten, London says...
12:08pm Fri 9 May 08

Katie I take 1 sugar in my tea thanks, Can Crusher, Katie is making a hot drink what would you like?

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AP, At work says...
12:19pm Fri 9 May 08

Can Crusher wrote:
hahaha.......I think this is great. Katie = if I had a brain I'd be dangerous Me = Croucthless knickers by night AP = Knowing me, knowing you! Yours sincerly
Aha

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Me, Belvedere says...
12:22pm Fri 9 May 08

Kitten - notice Can Crusher's spelling mistakes....tut tut....Can Crusher - why the crutchless knickers by night....where did that come from??? haha

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Sophia, Work says...
3:59pm Fri 9 May 08

Pink Kitten wrote:
My travel into work is great, I can have a cigarette when I want, I'm not squashed like a sardine, I listen to my radio and if I get stuck in traffic my boss is very understanding as he drives himself. I don't have to put up with people who smell, people with there silly ringtones or people coughing and spluttering their germs around. It's heaven. Happy commuting!
To Pink Kitten, you insist on pointing out trivial spelling mistakes. Have you looked at your earlier post? In this post you state "there silly ringtones", not sure what school of English you went to, but actually the correct spelling should be "their". This is because you are referring to something that belongs to a person. I suggest you go back and swot up on your English spelling before you make yourself look more of an idiot.

Report this post »

Pink Kitten, London says...
4:36pm Fri 9 May 08

Sophia as I told Katie earlier today I take 1 sugar in my tea please, thank you!

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Sophia, Work says...
4:51pm Fri 9 May 08

To Pink Kitten, good for you! Perhaps all the sugar in the tea is affecting your ability to spell? Maybe you should cut the sugar out? Besides there is nothing wrong in making tea for your colleagues is there pink kitten? I can only assume that you have to do this quite frequently in your job and it is obviously frustrating you, hence the reason you keep on bringing the subject of "tea making" up? Perhaps you should look elsewhere for a job if it annoys you so much? I would not recommend working in the city of London or London's West End, that might mean you commuting by train and actually getting caught up in delays etc... Actually, that might not be a bad idea, then you might grasp the concept of this being a discussion on train delays and the affect it had on people's journeys into and from work.

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Railway Worker, Crayford says...
12:47am Sat 10 May 08

Sorry that some of you experienced delays , but as stated cables were damaged. These would have been signalling cables and/or communication cables..it s for your saftey that the extent of the damage has to be assessed.
Unfortunatly, some delays are beyond our control. The railway has a huge amount of committed people who are under lots of pressure to keep the trains running safely and on time all the time.....when you consider the amount of trains that run countywide each day, we really don't do a bad job. Please don't think that we don't care because we do.

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Tiggs, Thamesmead says...
10:26am Mon 12 May 08

Ok Pink Kitten enuf is enuf..(oh by the way this is shorthand 2008 type spelling, just incase u think u can slag me for not spelling correctly)...why dont u go make some tea for ur boss who doesnt mind what u do as its probably a he n probably can crusher...we dont wanna hear ur bulls*** anymore..got it...

Report this post »

P diddy, The Pimp Pad says...
12:02pm Mon 12 May 08

Word up homies, P diddy in da house, throw yer hands in the air and wave dem like yer juz don't care say Yeeeeeeeah. To the irrate communters, next time get on board the love train, oh yeah.

Report this post »

Pink Kitten, London says...
2:29pm Tue 13 May 08

Like your attitude P Diddy, better than the whiny whingy old bags on here moaning and groaning about a train!

Report this post »

La La, None of your business says...
4:31pm Tue 13 May 08

To Pink Kitten - you are so sad, have you not read the article, it relates to a severe train delay, so cannot believe you would post such a comment. Some people should not be allowed near a computer - you are most definitely one of them.

Report this post »

Pink Kitten, London says...
2:50pm Wed 14 May 08

Dear La La,

Where are Tinky Winky, Dipsy and Po?

Report this post »

La La, Far Far Away! says...
1:46pm Thu 15 May 08

Dear Pink Kitten,

Your imaginary friends (as per your post) say "Eh ho!!". Now can you please get back to making your sub-standard tea for your boss and his colleagues! We are waiting!

Report this post »

Diane, Work says...
2:14pm Thu 15 May 08

To La La, that is the funniest post I have seen for a while!! I am chuckling, wonder what the reply from PK will be?!!! So funny!!!

Report this post »

Mark, Dartford says...
6:30am Fri 16 May 08

vern wrote:
This was apparantly called a "Rubbish" fire. so the people of Woolwich cannnot even start a proper fire. In WW we would never have a "rubbish" fire. Our fires would be of a high quality and be fierce.
excellent comment Vern!

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