Major Fire Near Waltham Cross Disrupts London Rail Services

A large-scale grass fire near Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, caused major travel disruption on Sunday, August 2, 2026, leading to the suspension of all train services to and from London Liverpool Street station. The fire, which broke out at approximately 2 p.m., prompted the London Fire Brigade to order an immediate halt to all rail traffic in the area as a critical safety precaution.

At the height of the incident, 14 fire engines and multiple crews from stations including Enfield, Chingford, and Woodford worked to contain the blaze, which consumed roughly 14 hectares of grassland. The smoke was thick enough to impact visibility for motorists on the M25, with authorities urging drivers to avoid the stretch between Junctions 25 and 26.

Greater Anglia confirmed that the suspension affected key routes, including services to Stansted Airport, Cambridge North, and Hertford East. While lines were reopened by 9 p.m., passengers were warned of residual delays continuing late into the night. To mitigate the impact, ticket holders were permitted to use alternative transport, including London Underground, London Overground, London Buses, Thameslink, and Great Northern services.

Network Rail and emergency teams remained on-site late into the evening to extinguish remaining hotspots. While the fire is now under control, the incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of rail infrastructure to trackside vegetation fires during periods of high environmental risk.