A fire broke out near Stratford station in London before 10:21 GMT on July 11, 2026, involving trees and shrubbery beside the railway tracks. Emergency response included eight fire engines and approximately 60 firefighters who attended the blaze. The incident forced the evacuation of about 1,400 passengers from trains and brought services to a complete halt outside Stratford station.
Impact on Rail Services Through Stratford
Greater Anglia services through Stratford are severely disrupted across all routes, with only a reduced number able to run. Elizabeth Line trains have resumed operations through Stratford but face frequent cancellations, alterations, and delays. London Overground services on the Mildmay line
are also heavily affected, experiencing severe delays and partial suspension on the route between Willesden Junction and Clapham Junction.
Stratford station remains closed, significantly affecting one of London’s busiest rail hubs and causing widespread disruption for commuters.
Repair Efforts and Official Updates
Network Rail engineers have assessed the damage caused by the fire and are conducting urgent repairs on the railway infrastructure, including signalling and telecoms equipment. Work is progressing with the objective of restoring normal service as swiftly as possible.
An official Network Rail spokesperson confirmed that a limited number of Greater Anglia services can currently operate via Stratford and cautioned that trains running
will be busier than normal. Passengers are strongly advised to check the latest service updates before traveling and avoid the Stratford area where possible.
Disruption Duration and Passenger Guidance
Rail disruption from the fire is expected to continue until at least 6am on Monday following the incident. Travelers should anticipate cancellations, altered schedules, and delays on Greater Anglia, Elizabeth Line, and London Overground routes affected by the closure and repairs.
Due to station closure and service limitations, passengers using trains through Stratford should plan for increased crowding and consider alternative travel options.
