A basement fire caused chaos for hundreds of passengers, after rail bosses were forced to evacuate Carlisle train station.

The small fire filled the cellars with smoke, which then sparked alarm in the Citadel station itself.

Trains were initially halted and all passengers were evacuated. Services did resume fairly swiftly, although they were not stopping while the incident was investigated.

Fire crews from Wigton, Penrith and Aspatria responded to the incident.

Northern tweeted: "Due to a fire at a station at Carlisle all lines are closed."

Virgin Trains and Network Rail also sent similar tweets. Network Rail said British Transport Police and emergency services were on the scene.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Fire and Rescue Service said at the time: "Firefighters have been called to Citadel Railway Station to heavy smoke logging in a basement.

"The station has been evacuated and no trains are permitted to stop at the train station while the incident is being dealt with. However trains are permitted to pass through the station without stopping."

He later added: "The crews found a fire which was out on their arrival in the basement and used a hose reel and a thermal imaging camera to check the area."

Crews from Carlisle west and east fire stations were at a separate incident in Longtown.

There were expected to be delays throughout the evening.