Fire destroys Tube carriage with 'flaming bag melting into floor' as detectives begin arson probe

4 December 2023, 10:01 | Updated: 4 December 2023, 10:02

Detectives are investigating a suspected arson attack on the Tube after a bag fire heavily damaged a train in Leyton.

The train rolled into Leyton Underground on Saturday night with smoke billowing out of a carriage.

Footage showed a fire burning out of a bag on an empty carriage as commuters looked on at about 10.13pm.

The British Transport Police said they were told a bag melted into the floor of the train. Officers were called to the scene just before midnight.

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The fire caused "extensive damage" to the train and police are now looking for witnesses.

Maryam Eslamdoust, the general secretary of transport union TSSA said: "Suspected arson attack on tube train at Leyton Station on Sat 2 Dec. Intensive damage to carriage."

She shared a video of the carriage heavily burned out, with one end completely blackened from the damage.

Cal. 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 with the reference 747-021223 with any information, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.