GWR apologises to stranded passengers after fire

Train operator Great Western Railway (GWR) has apologised to passengers hit by delays after a fire broke out underneath a train carriage.

Services between Plymouth and Exeter were cancelled after the fire on Sunday near Newton Abbot.

GWR said a "limited" number of buses had been provided for passengers.

A spokesperson said: "We are really sorry for the passengers impacted, we always do our best to keep people moving, but when we cannot do that we rely on road transport and that will have a further impact on customers' journeys compared with using train services."

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said 30 passengers and railway staff on the broken down train were helped to safety.

The cause of the fire, at about 14:30 GMT was still being investigated, said GWR, but it was believed to have been caused by a wheel bearing.

Trains were cancelled on the line until later on Sunday evening and services were now back to normal, they added.

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