Railway blaze sparks travel chaos as thick black plumes of smoke rise into the air ‘severely impacting’ trains

A FIRE has sparked travel chaos after huge flames erupted next to railway tracks.

Shocking images from the scene show a fierce orange fire just centimetres away from where passenger trains would travel.

Black plumes of smoke are billowing into the air as the fire near tracks in Stevenage rages on.

The flames were started in the signal cables, National Rail has said.

Commuters have been urged to not travel as services between Stevenage and London Kings Cross are impacted.

Engineering teams are on standby to start repairs as soon as it's safe - with all services passing through the Hertfordshire town currently cancelled.

Herts Fire and Rescue Service said it was dealing with a blaze alongside the track in London Road.

Great Northern, the train operator which is responsible for Stevenage railway station, said: "Great Northern and Thameslink services are not able to run until further notice between Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City and Hertford North."

This is a breaking news story. Follow for updates.