• Have you been impacted? Email lettice.bromovsky@dailymail.co.uk 

By LETTICE BROMOVSKY, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 20:08 GMT, 11 January 2026 | Updated: 22:52 GMT, 11 January 2026

Train services to and from Heathrow Airport were thrown into chaos today after a fire sparked severe disruption on key rail routes serving the UK's busiest airport.

Passengers faced widespread delays and cancellations after a blaze was reported at a property close to the railway line between Reading and London Paddington.

Great Western Rail said that because of the fire, fewer trains were able to run on the affected stretch of track.

The operator warned that train services travelling to and from Reading and Paddington 'may be cancelled or delayed', adding that disruption was expected to continue until at least 8pm.

Heathrow Express also confirmed a complete suspension of its services, telling passengers: 'Due to a significant incident outside of our control, there are currently no Heathrow Express services running' to the airport.

Transport for London said there was currently no service on the Elizabeth Line between Paddington and Reading or Heathrow 'due to a fire alert'.

TfL added that London Underground services were accepting tickets 'via any reasonable route', while noting there was a good service running on the rest of the Elizabeth Line.

Passengers faced widespread delays and cancellations after a blaze was reported at a property close to the railway line between Reading and LondonPaddington

Train services to and from Heathrow Airport were thrown into chaos today after a fire sparked severe disruption on key rail routes serving the UK's busiest airport

Transport for London said there was currently no service on the Elizabeth Line between Paddington and Reading or Heathrow 'due to a fire alert'

The disruption is likely to affect thousands of passengers travelling to and from Heathrow this evening, with travellers urged to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journeys.

London Fire Brigade said in a statement: 'Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters are responding to a fire on Johnson Street, Southall.

'The fire is located at a recycling centre and around 15 tonnes of mixed recycling is currently alight.

'Due to smoke travel from the fire, the nearby Great Western Main Line has been partially closed as a precaution whilst crews respond.

'The Brigade was first called about the incident at 1733. Control officers have mobilised crews from Southall, Hayes, Feltham and surrounding fire stations to the scene.

'The cause of the fire is not known at this time.'

Network rail has now said that 'as of 8:37pm all lines have reopened and all trains are on the move'.