FRASER PITHIE The train burst into flames near Kenilworth station, Coventry

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The three-car train was carrying 10 people when its engine caught fire near Kenilworth station in Coventry. Firefighters rushed to the scene following reports the train was “well ablaze”. The train was evacuated with all 10 people escaping without injury as large plumes of black smoke came out of the carriages. Express.co.uk understands the train was not carrying paying passengers and was a Viva Rail train being tested on the line.

Obviously the engine shouldn’t catch fire and we will be looking into why that has happened here Viva Rail chairman Adrian Shooter

Viva Rail chairman Adrian Shooter said: “It was a fire in one of the engine modules on a test train. "We don’t know why it occurred but obviously when we get the train back we will be taking it to pieces and assessing it. “It’s not a passenger train it’s a test train, all the people on board were staff and there were no injuries. “This is a new train, it has only done a few miles. There’s a problem and there’s no explanation right now. “Obviously the engine shouldn’t catch fire and we will be looking into why that has happened here.”

Sorry to see 230 001 end up like this on a test run in the last few mins at #Kenilworth after all the hard work by Vivarail pic.twitter.com/HoEBCwIz1w — fraser pithie (@Fradgie) December 30, 2016

The fire caused chaos on the railway, with limited services already in place across most of the country as Christmas and New Year engineering works continue. National Rail said the train blocked the line between Coventry and Leamington Spa, causing delays on the Manchester-Bournemouth line until the end of service. In a statement, National Rail said: “A broken down train is blocking the line between Coventry and Leamington Spa. Trains will be unable to run between these stations for the rest of the day. “Services between Manchester Piccadilly and Bournemouth will divert via Solihull and not call at Birmingham International and Coventry.” Tickets will be accepted on London Midland and Virgin Trains services between Birmingham New Street and Coventry.

A spokesman from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 13.12 hours, Friday 30th December, fire control received a call to a train on fire at the old railway station, Station Road, Kenilworth. “One fire appliance from Kenilworth and one fire appliance from Leamington proceeded. “This is a fire involving a passenger train consisting of three carriages. “The engine is well alight at front of the train. “Ten persons have been evacuated from carriages. Fire crews are using hose reels, jets and hydraulic cutting equipment to deal with this fire.” After fighting the blaze for nearly two hours, firefighters left the scene. Engineers said the train will be moved off the track and taken back to Birmingham for a full investigation.