Passengers on a commuter train that caught fire outside Bristol last night said they were told by the train's conductor that there was nothing wrong only minutes before flames ripped through its rear carriage.

The 21 passengers fled the train as the 8:06pm Wessex Trains service from Bristol Temple Meads to Weston-super-Mare ground to a stop outside Nailsea and Backwell station. They were led to safety by firemen.

The train's rear engine and last carriage were burnt-out in the fire, and the three other carriages were damaged. No-one was injured, although three passengers were treated on the scene for the effects of smoke inhalation.

Some passengers also complained that they were unable to stop the train and get out. Wessex Trains later said that the doors automatically remained locked until the train was brought to a controlled standstill.

One passenger, Andy Didlick, said: "Before I knew what was going on I looked out of the window and there were flames each side of the carriage and smoke coming in.

"We couldn't actually get out. We pushed the emergency thing and nothing happened so we were stuck in there and it was pretty scary."

Another passenger told the BBC: "We could hear some alarms going off for about four or five minutes and then one of the other passengers could smell smoke so they alerted the conductor, who said there was nothing the matter.

"The next thing we knew there was smoke and flames ripping down the carriage. There were 23 people on there but had it been the half-past five train, where it's completely packed out, there could have been people killed on it."

A Wessex Trains spokesman said today the train had been removed last night to a depot in Bristol, where investigators were today trying to pin down the cause of the fire.

He said that the investigation would also look into the circumstances of the evacuation and whether the correct procedures had been followed.

Asked if staff on the train faced disciplinary action, the spokesman said: "Obviously, we will have to wait until the outcome of the inquiry into the accident."

A British Transport Police spokesman said that passengers and train controllers called police at 8.35pm reporting smoke in the train. He said that a preliminary investigation suggested a mechanical fault caused the fire.

Wessex Trains said that the incident would be thoroughly investigated, with the British Transport Police, Network Rail, safety agencies and the company itself all involved.

Asked about reports that the carriage doors had not opened at first, a Wessex Trains spokesman said: "What we do not want is passengers jumping out of a moving train, so the train is brought to a controlled standstill."

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Science News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• Swine flu vaccine for all as drug rushed through
• Artificial sperm and the race to build a baby
• BBC jets out stars to tout for prizes