UK heatwave weather: Away day MPs stranded on train in York after trackside fires break out amid scorching summer

Stranded: International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt was forced to deliver a speech from the delayed train
Twitter/@RaquelAston
Ella Wills24 July 2018

MPs returning from a Cabinet away day in Gateshead were left stranded on a London-bound train after a trackside fire near York caused severe delays.

Top ministers including Michael Gove and Penny Mordaunt were among delayed passengers as emergency services battled the blaze on the East Coast Main Line between York and Doncaster.

The blaze broke out on the hottest day of the year so far with the Met Office recording temperatures of 33.3C.

The Environment Secretary was seen "doling out" wine to commuters and catching up on some reading during the disruption.

While International Development Secretary Ms Mordaunt was forced to deliver a speech to the Global Disability Summit via video link from the train.

London North Eastern Railway reported a fire next to the track shortly before 3pm, which blocked all lines on the network.

Fires then broke out on both sides of the track before firefighters extinguished the blaze at around 7pm.

A picture shared on social media by tech company Pavegen showed Mr Gove surrounded by snacks and books on the train.

UK Heatwave - In pictures

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Pavegen tweeted: "Wildfires have killed trains between York and Doncaster. Environment Minister Michael Gove has been doling out wine to new friends that have been forced to join First in this now declassified train. Sante!"

Monday was the hottest day of the year so far, with a maximum temperature of 33.3C (92F) at Santon Downham in Suffolk.

Britain is set to sizzle for the rest of the working work as parts of Britain could see temperatures rise to 35C by Friday.

The mercury is expected to peak on Thursday and Friday, Met Office forecasters said.

An amber "heat health watch" warning has been issued for parts of England.

The amber, or level three, warning is issued when temperatures are predicted to hit 30C (86F) during the day, and 15C (59F) at night, for at least two consecutive days.

There is a 90 per cent possibility of heatwave conditions between 9am on Monday and 9am Friday in parts of England, mainly in the south and east.

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