Hundreds of furious Brits stranded amid school holiday getaways after fire sparked by thieves trying to steal cables

A CRIMINAL investigation was underway today after thieves brought Eurostar trains to a halt by causing a fire in an electricity sub-station near Paris.

At least six high-speed trains due to travel between the French capital and London were cancelled today, following a night of misery for thousands of passengers.

“An act of malevolence” caused the crisis, said a spokesman for SNCF, France’s national railway.

He said thieves trying to steal electric cables had broken into a secure electricity unit in the northern suburb of St-Denis at around 6.30pm on Tuesday.

A fire broke out, meaning the electricity supply had to be cut, causing chaos and absolute misery across the line on the hottest day of the year in France.

“Around fifteen thousand people had to be evacuated from fifteen trains blocked on the rails,” said France’s transport secretary Alain Vidalies.

Many of those stranded, who including numerous passengers from Britain, had to endure roasting hot carriages without air conditioning or water supplies. Others stood on the side of the track, where temperatures were well above 30C.

While a ‘technical solution’ has now been found, there will be more cancellations and delays today.

Eurostar offered apologies on social media for “infrastructure issues”, while their website blamed “a power outage near Paris Gare du Nord”.

Many TGV high speed trains were also cancelled in France, along with commuter services, including those connecting central Paris with major airports.

Passengers on board one of the Eurostar trains evacuated on Tuesday evening expressed there fury at the way they were treated.

British traveller Caroline bowern said: “Shambolic French service on trains and Eurostar today! Don’t think we will be travelling to France again anytime soon.”

Simon Usborne, aboard service ES9051, tweeted: “People queuing to breathe at one open door. Police have arrived. Passengers eyeing up window hammers.”

Videos showed passengers having to be lifted from the train, and others standing by the side of the tracks looking confused and distressed.

Emma Malloch, another passenger, added: “Apparently being evacuated but limited info. Stuck like herds of cows! Hundreds of people, no clue?”

A Paris police spokesman said there had so far been ‘no arrests’ over the attack on the electricity sub-station and enquiries were ‘on going’.