Fans miss Six Nations game as Eurostar shut

Published on Sunday 18 March 2007 00:06

THOUSANDS of Scottish rugby fans missed the national team's final Six Nations game in Paris yesterday after Eurostar cancelled services to the continent.

Trains were cancelled after a blaze near Clapham in south London on Friday night led to the fire brigade insisting on a 200-metre exclusion zone to allow gas canisters to cool down.

Eurostar closed its "entire operation", while local South Eastern Services out of Victoria in central London were also affected.

More than 20,000 passengers were affected, including rugby fans trying to make their way to Paris for yesterday's game.

A Eurostar spokeswoman said: "We obviously apologise that Scottish rugby fans could not travel with Eurostar this weekend, but we have to be governed by the advice of the fire authorities on these matters."

London Fire Brigade said the incident involved an unidentified cylinder at Pensbury Place in south Lambeth.

A spokesman said: "As some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat, a 200-metre hazard zone is in place whilst the cylinder is being cooled."

Some nearby businesses and homes were also evacuated, and fire crews were set to spend last night at the scene monitoring the situation.

A statement on the Eurostar website said: "Eurostar passengers who are unable to travel can exchange (within two months) or have their tickets refunded." It advised travellers to check for the latest news on www.eurostar.com or to phone [phone].