Major wildfires have stopped trains from running to a major London airport, with huge plumes of smoke visible for miles across north London.
A massive grass fire broke out next to a busy rail track in Waltham Abbey, Essex, on Sunday, forcing trains to grind to a halt on the way to Stansted Airport.
At least 50 hectares of field were burning at the height of the blaze, with smoke drifting over the M25 and causing visibility issues for motorists.
People were seen being taken off trains as they were forced to stop due to the fire, while traffic on the M25 was also affected.
A spokesperson from Rammey Marsh Cruising Club said that the fire was not unusual, but added that it seemed to be more severe than usual.
The fire was under control by 5pm, with crews using water backpacks and wildfire beaters to tackle the blaze.
Wildfire beaters are long-handled tools with a flat piece of rubber at the end, used to beat the flames and deprive them of oxygen.
As a precaution, train services from Waltham Cross were suspended, and services running through Stansted Airport station may be delayed or diverted via Seven Sisters.
The London Fire Brigade and Network Rail are working together to put out the fires and restore the train service to normal.
In a separate incident, a wildfire in Suffolk has caused "total devastation" to heathland, with firefighters reducing the number of appliances tackling the blaze.
The National Trust has launched an emergency fundraising drive to help restore the affected area, which is home to rare species such as the Dartford warbler and the silver-studded blue butterfly.
Local roads and footpaths remain closed in Suffolk, and the public is being asked to avoid the area and keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.
