A TRAIN was evacuated at a Hampshire station after an air filter box catching fire.

The fire broke out underneath a carriage at Brockenhurst Station, and passengers could see smoke billowing over the platform.

The train was a CrossCountry service from Bournemouth to Manchester.

The cause of the blaze was revealed by Hampshire Fire and Rescue: “Crews from Brockenhurst, Lymington, Beaulieu, New Milton, Eastleigh and Burley were called at 11:10 on Monday morning to a fire underneath a train.

“On arrival crews found a fire involving an air-filter box underneath a four carriage train and extinguished it using three dry powder extinguishers and one jet. The stop came in at 12:34.”

An air filter prevents matter such as fine dust entering the engine’s cylinders where it could cause mechanical wear or oil contamination.

A spokesperson for CrossCountry confirmed the company would investigate the incident.

The spokesperson said: “On arrival at Brockenhurst station, the train crew became aware of smoke coming from underneath the rear carriage of our 10:45 service from Bournemouth to Manchester.

“The train crew and station staff immediately evacuated all the customers, and the train’s extinguisher system and the speedy arrival of the emergency services quickly resolved the situation.

“There are no reports of any injuries.

“As soon as it is released by the emergency services, the train will be taken to our depot where an investigation into the cause will take place.

“As there were several trains delayed by this incident, we are asking anyone whose journey has been affected to get in touch so that we can see if they are due compensation.”

British Transport Police confirmed they also attended the incident.

Replacement coach services were in operation to take passengers to Southampton.