Smoky load in truck triggers alarm in Channel Tunnel

Posted January 16, 2015 10:00 pm

The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) - A smoky load being transported through the Channel Tunnel triggered an alarm Saturday, suspending all passenger and freight rail services between Britain and France, Eurotunnel said. No injuries were reported.

John Keefe, the spokesman for tunnel operator Eurotunnel, said C02 alarms detected the smoke in the tunnel, touching off the shutdown at around midday. He didn't elaborate on what had caused the smoke inside the truck but said earlier reports of a fire were not correct.

Railway operator Eurostar suspended all services for Saturday, causing disruptions for thousands of passengers.

"If you were planning to travel today, we advise you to postpone your journey and not to come to the station," Eurostar said in a statement.

Eurostar said tickets can be refunded or rebooked within the next 60 days for travel within six months.

Shuttle services that convey road vehicles and their passengers will resume through one tunnel Saturday evening, Keefe said.

Travellers queue at St Pancras Station, in London, Saturday Jan. 17, 2015. A fire in a truck that was being transported through the Channel Tunnel triggered an alarm which led to suspension of all passenger and freight rail services between Britain and France on Saturday, police said. No injuries were reported. (AP Photo/PA, Stefan Rousseau) UNITED KINGDOM OUT: NO SALES: NO ARCHIVE The Associated Press

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