ELECTRICAL ARCING CAUSES SMALL FIRE ON RAILWAY LINE IN SANDOWN

Firefighters have been called to the railway line in Sandown this morning (Wednesday) as a result of electrical arcing setting fire to discarded materials on the track. It was around 10:00 that crews from Ryde and Shanklin were mobilised to the area around Los Altos Park after a small fire was reported. It has been identified that arching between the second and third rail, as the train has passed over, has set fire to materials on the bed. Trains to and from Shanklin have been suspended whilst the incident is dealt with. Firefighters are using a knapp sack to damp down the area at the pedestrian crossing between Los Altos and The Fairway. Shanklin’s pump has already been stood down from the incident. Island Line is expected to resume a normal service shortly, with an engineer on site with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service. Currently, South Western Railway advise of disruption until 13:00.