HC Deb 29 June 1988 vol 136 cc274-5W
Mr. Fisher

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will publish a list of reported fires in the London Underground between January and June showing(a) the date, (b) the line, (c) the duration of the fire, and (d) the cost of damage in each case.

Mr. David Mitchell

The table gives the details of the fires on London Underground Ltd. A fire is statutorily reportable only if it causes death or injury or if it necessitates suspension of the train service or closure of a station, signal box or other premises for more than 30 minutes if the affected part of the railway is below ground or 1 hour if it is above ground. The increase in reported fires in 1988 compared with previous years is not necessarily due to an increase in the number of fires but probably to a better appreciation of those which have to be reported following the revision to the reporting order at the beginning of 1987.

The cost of the damage is not reportable.

years from 1984 to 1987; the information for 1983 is not readily available. Before 1 January 1987 a fire was statutorily reportable only if it caused death or injury or if at a station or signal box it was regarded as serious or if it damaged a bridge or viaduct. After that date fires at stations, signal boxes or other premises became reportable if they caused suspension of the service or station for more than 30 minutes if the affected railway was below ground or more than 1 hour if it was above ground. The cost of the damage is not reportable.

Date Location Lines Affected Duration
Hours Minutes
1987
16 May At Chancery Lane Central — 30
12 June At Green Park Piccadilly
Victoria 1 25
Jubilee
25 June Near Holland Park Central — 45
25 July At Hampstead Northern — —
30 July At Bank Central 2 37
10 September At Heathrow Terminal 4 Piccadilly 2 17
20 September At Clapham Common Northern — 40
3 November At Notting Hill Gate Central — 50
District and Circle
18 November At Kings Cross Piccadilly 12 10
Northern
Victoria
Metropolitan and Circle
2 December Near Old Street (Smoke in tunnel, no fire) Northern 1 45