Police investigate train station fire as 'arson'

Detectives are investigating a major fire at Paignton train station as a suspected arson incident, British Transport Police have said.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service was called at about 05:45 BST, with seven crews at the scene at the height of the blaze. They successfully put out the fire and have been monitoring hotspots.

Police said no arrests had been made after the incident and inquiries were ongoing, adding there were no injuries.

Disruption was set to continue until to the end of Tuesday after the blaze forced the cancellation of train services and sparked road closures across the town centre, transport bosses said.

Daryn McCombe, network operations director for Great Western Railway and Network Rail Great Western Route, said the station was "a familiar landmark at the heart of the town, and we understand that many people will be affected by the scenes this morning".

McCombe added: "We share that sense of loss and are determined to do everything we can to restore services as quickly as possible."

He said specialist teams had to "carry out detailed inspections of the station building and surrounding railway infrastructure before trains can return", and services would only resume once it was safe to do so.

"From tomorrow [Wednesday], we plan to resume operating trains between Newton Abbot and Torquay for customers needing to travel."

Great Western Railway said the line was blocked due to the blaze, which affected signalling and surrounding infrastructure.

The train operator said trains were cancelled between Newton Abbot and Paignton, and it was running a shuttle service between Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay and Paignton.

GWR said the shuttle was not running to an official timetable and passengers should check for where the nearest passenger pick-up and drop-off places would be.

Train services from Exeter St David's were all terminating at Newton Abbot, GWR said.

GWR also said passengers could use their train tickets at no extra cost on Stagecoach bus routes 11, 12 and 22. The routes connect Dawlish Warren, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay and Paignton.

CrossCountry passengers could also use their tickets at no extra cost on GWR replacement bus services between Newton Abbot and Paignton, rail bosses said.

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