Train fire closes major road and rail services on key route out of Shropshire

The A483 northbound between Junctions 5 and 6 was also closed as the train was near to the road and the emergency services required access to it. One lane has since re-opened with the emergency services asking for caution.

At 11.45am National Rail confirmed that disruption following a fire on a train between Chester and Wrexham General earlier today has now ended.

Police said the fire is believed to have been caused by a hydraulic flight and has now been extinguished.

National Rail said: "The emergency services are at the scene dealing with the incident. All the passengers and staff on the train are safe, and will be transported forward to their destination as soon as possible."

Disruption on Transport for Wales Services between Chester and Birmingham International, and between Holyhead and Maesteg, and also between Holyhead and Birmingham International/Cardiff Central is expected until 11.45am today (Wednesday).

Rail replacement transport has been sourced to run between Chester and Shrewsbury and where possible trains will divert via Crewe between Chester and Shrewsbury.

As a result trains running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised, says National Rail.

National Rail advises checking journeys using the National Rail Enquiries real-time Journey Planner.

Passengers can find the location of replacement buses by checking station signs or by searching for your station on Network Rail station information pages.

A spokesman for National Rail said: "You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim."

A spokesman for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "We had a call to an event near Wrexham relating to the train this morning at 6.43hrs.

"Four machines from Wrexham and Valley Lakes were sent along with one machine from the Chester Fire Service and Rescue Service.

"Crews are working locally on multiple-assistance basis with partners from North Wales Police, Rail Network, Welsh Traffic, Ambulance Service and British Traffic Police.

"There are no reports of injuries, and the passengers are being looked after by Network Rail and Transport Wales, with arrangements being made to cross the affected area so that they can continue their journey."

Firefighters tackled a fire in the undercarriage of one of the train's carriages, using four sets of breathing apparatus and three hose reel jets to bring it under control.

"The A483 nearby (northbound at Junction 5 near the B&Q roundabout) was closed for a period, and one lane is now open - people are being asked to travel with care."

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: "Officers were called to the line in Wrexham at 6.48am today following reports of a fire on a train. It was believed to have been caused by a hydraulic fault and has now been extinguished. Thankfully all passengers were safe and well."

To follow incident updates on Twitter follow #WrexhamGeneral.