A significant fire near railway tracks has plunged train services to and from Heathrow Airport into severe disruption, with multiple key routes suspended.
Major Services Suspended
The incident, which involves a fire at a property close to the railway between Reading and London Paddington, has forced a major reduction in train operations. Great Western Railway confirmed that fewer trains are able to run, leading to widespread cancellations and delays for services connecting these critical stations.
In a major blow to airport travellers, the Heathrow Express has been completely halted. The operator stated that "due to a significant incident outside of our control, there are currently no Heathrow Express services running" to the UK's busiest airport.
Elizabeth Line Hit by Fire Alert
Transport for London (TfL) has announced there is currently no service on the Elizabeth Line between Paddington and both Reading and Heathrow Terminals. The suspension is "due to a fire alert" related to the ongoing incident.
TfL has advised passengers that London Underground are accepting tickets via any reasonable route. The transport body confirmed there is a good service on the remainder of the Elizabeth Line outside the affected section.
Disruption Expected Until Evening
The rail disruption caused by the fire is expected to continue for several hours. Great Western Railway has indicated that severe delays and cancellations are likely to persist until at least 8pm on Sunday, 11 January 2026.
Passengers planning to travel to or from Heathrow Airport are urged to:
- Check live travel updates with their train operator before departing.
- Allow considerable extra time for their journeys.
- Consider alternative routes, including London Underground services where ticket acceptance is in place.
The situation remains developing, and further updates on the fire incident and the restoration of full train services are expected shortly.
