§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about the cause and circumstances surrounding a fire between Essex Road and Old Street stations on the Finsbury Park to Moorgate line on 16 December 1987; if any inquiry is to be held; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellThere was no fire on the railway between Essex Road and Old Street stations on 16 December 1987. Trains were stopped, passengers were detrained and the fire brigade examined the tunnels as a precaution after smoke was reported. However, no source for the smoke was found and it was considered most likely that smoke had been drawn into the system from the surface down a ventilation shaft.