SERVICES at St Helens Central station came to a standstill on Friday after emergency services were called to deal with a "small fire" on board a train.

Passengers reported smelling smoke inside the the train. Some suggested a fire broke out in an overhead luggage compartment  

No one was injured in the incident, which was reported to British Transport Police and the Fire Service at 2.55pm.

The fire has now been put out.

St Helens Star:

The train remained in the station this afternoon

A Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service statement read: "Firefighters are currently attending a small electrical fire on a train carriage at St Helens Central railway station.

"Two fire engines are at the scene and crews are using a hose reel jet to tackle the fire.

"There are no reported injuries at this stage.

"The incident is ongoing."

Northern Rail released a statement, which read: “Due to emergency services dealing with an incident between Liverpool Lime Street and Wigan North Western some lines are blocked.

“For safety, we are unable to run services on the St Helens Central lines in both directions until the emergency services declare the railway safe for running.

“We have no estimate how long this will be and apologise for the inconvenience caused.”

Replacement transport has been provided between Huyton and Wigan and passengers travelling from Liverpool Lime Street have been advised to change at Huyton for a replacement bus.

The Liverpool to Warrington Central line is unaffected.