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Channel Tunnel disruption goes on Channel Tunnel disruption goes on
(30 minutes later)
Thousands of passengers hoping to travel through the Channel Tunnel face further disruption after a fire on a freight train.Thousands of passengers hoping to travel through the Channel Tunnel face further disruption after a fire on a freight train.
The tunnel is closed after the fire broke out about seven miles from Calais on Thursday afternoon. Fire fighters say the blaze has now been put out. The tunnel is closed after the fire broke out about seven miles from Calais on Thursday afternoon. Firefighters say the blaze has now been put out.
Thirty-two people on board were led to safety. Fourteen had suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation.Thirty-two people on board were led to safety. Fourteen had suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation.
Eurostar said it "did not expect" to operate any services on Friday.Eurostar said it "did not expect" to operate any services on Friday.
Passengers were still arriving at St Pancras International in London on Friday hoping services to the Continent would resume.
A spokeswoman said about 30,000 passengers were due to travel on 50 Eurostar services on Friday and they would be offered a full refund or exchange.
"We checked the website around 9pm," said finance manager Kirsty McIntyre, who had planned to spend the weekend in the Champagne region.
"It just said delays are expected but it didn't say anything about cancelled services, so we came today and it's not happening. We are going to see if we can get a bus to Dover and a ferry to Calais."
Others who had planned to take the Eurostar on Thursday and were unable to get hotel accommodation were forced to sleep in the station.
See graphic of Channel Tunnel See graphic of Channel Tunnel
Groom among stranded passengersGuide to Channel TunnelGroom among stranded passengersGuide to Channel Tunnel
The French Interior Ministry said the UK-bound lorry, which is understood to have overturned on the shuttle train, was carrying the chemical phenol, a toxic product used by the pharmaceutical industry.
Chief Fire Officer Bill Feeley of Kent Fire and Rescue Service said on Thursday that about 100 of his firefighters were tackling the blaze.
"We're working from one end as the French fire service works from the other, and I know they've been in audible contact, so that's how close they are," he said.
A train was sent to collect the people from the service tunnel and take them back to France.
The Foreign Office said seven of those evacuated from the tunnel were British.
The French state train company SNCF said its services would not resume until Friday.
The tunnel carries Eurostar express trains between London, Paris and Brussels, as well as freight and passenger shuttles between Folkestone and Calais.The tunnel carries Eurostar express trains between London, Paris and Brussels, as well as freight and passenger shuttles between Folkestone and Calais.
Travel chaos French officials said the UK-bound lorry, which is understood to have overturned on the shuttle train, was carrying the chemical phenol, a toxic product used by the pharmaceutical industry.
Traffic built up at the British end of the tunnel, with queues of lorries and cars tailing from the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone. Eurotunnel chairman Jacque Gounon told French radio some traffic could resume on Friday.
Kent police have closed junctions eight to nine of the coastbound section of the M20 and sections of the motorway have been used to queue lorries as part of Operation Stack. "I think, without making any promise, that the service could get back to half capacity during the day," he said.
The Highways Agency has told motorists to expect delays of up to an hour on the M20. He added that the northbound tunnel, where the fire took place, would be closed for several weeks.
Motorists at the Channel Tunnel entrance were being given vouchers by staff to board ferries at Dover. 'Something accidental'
Channel Tunnel passengers on 'nightmare' journey The blaze broke out yesterday just before 1500 BST on a train carrying lorries from Folkestone to Calais.
Some of the stranded passengers said Eurostar has agreed to reimburse them for their stays overnight in London. Thirty-two people, including seven Britons, were evacuated to the service tunnel and a train ferried them back to France. More than 300 French and British firefighters tackled the blaze overnight.
A spokesman said anyone who had been unable to use the tickets because of the fire would be given as much help as possible with continuing their journey. Kent Fire and Rescue Service said 14 appliances and around 70 firefighters were still at the scene.
Eurolines, which is part of National Express, said it had capacity to take Eurostar passengers to Paris and Brussels by coach, via cross-Channel ferry services. Emergency services from East and West Sussex, London and Essex were also providing support.
Sections of the M20 remain closed
France's transport minister Dominique Bussereau told French radio station Europe-1 the cause appeared to be "something accidental".
The closure has caused huge tailbacks on roads near the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone as dozens of lorries have been forced to park on the M20 and other surrounding roads.
Kent Police say sections of the motorway - between junctions eight and nine - are still being used to queue lorries as part of Operation Stack and are advising motorists to avoid the area.
Superintendent Peter Wedlake said: "We anticipate there will be some congestion.
"People heading coastbound from Maidstone down towards Folkestone and Dover won't be able to use the M20."
The Channel Tunnel has suffered several incidents since it opened to traffic in 1994 although only one - a fire in 1996 - caused serious injuries.The Channel Tunnel has suffered several incidents since it opened to traffic in 1994 although only one - a fire in 1996 - caused serious injuries.
In August 2006, 34 people had to be led to safety after a fire broke out on a lorry being carried on a freight train.In August 2006, 34 people had to be led to safety after a fire broke out on a lorry being carried on a freight train.
The fire caused £200m worth of damage burned for over five hours, wrecking the concrete lining and facilities over about half a mile of tunnel. The fire caused £200m worth of damage and burned for more than five hours, wrecking the concrete lining and facilities over about half a mile of tunnel.
Security exercises are staged in the Channel Tunnel by police, fire and ambulance services from both England and France to ensure preparedness for such incidents.Security exercises are staged in the Channel Tunnel by police, fire and ambulance services from both England and France to ensure preparedness for such incidents.
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