Dublin commuter train evacuated after catching fire

A Dublin-bound commuter train was evacuated shortly before 10.30am on Tuesday after one of the carriages caught fire.

Passengers were forced to leave the 9.40am service from Drogheda to Pearse at Clongriffin station in North Dublin after smoke was seen billowing from underneath a carriage near the front of the train.

A statement from Iarnród Éireann said the driver contacted the railway network’s central traffic control to alert the fire services after he was made aware of the small engine fire by an automated system.

Passengers on board the commuter service were immediately removed from the train upon arrival at Clongriffin.

The train’s automatic fire suppression system extinguished the blaze before the fire services arrived.

While customers may have seen and smelled smoke, the fire did not enter the passenger area, according to Iarnród Éireann.

Dublin Fire Brigade and Iarnród Éireann maintenance services attended the scene and the line was closed through Clongriffin for about 70 minutes. Dart and commuter services were delayed while the fire was dealt with. Gardaí also attended the scene.

Passengers on the train were able to board Dublin Bus services to travel to the city centre.

Full services are now operating to schedule and the incident is due to be investigated.