Steam train trips halted after fire next to rail line

HERITAGE railway company has stopped running steam trains, after a large fire swept through 18 gardens in the Somerset village of Washford.

- SHANNON BROWN

The gardens suffered severe damage when the fire broke out on Monday. The gardens are situated alongside the West Somerset Railway line, which runs from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead, and the blaze spread quickly as a result of the hot, dry weather.

The cause of the fire was initially unknown, according to the railway company, which has said it is no longer running steam trains in the area in the wake of the fire.

Sharing a message on its website, the company said: “We apologise that we are currently operating diesel trains on the West Somerset Railway following an incident close to the track on Bank Holiday Monday.