NORMAL service was being restored for Kent commuters today afer thousands endured a nightmare journey home to Kent from London last night.

Fire services gave the "all clear" after spending hours cooling down gas cylinders caught in a fire under a railway bridge yesterday.

For most of Wednesday, trains were unable to run between New Cross and London Bridge - on one of the major commuter routes between Kent and the capital - after the blaze broke out in a car workshop in arches under the rail line in Bermondsey.

Last night no services ran from Charing Cross, London Bridge, Waterloo East or Cannon Street.

Parts of Victoria station had to be closed for a while. So many people descended on the station that officials feared for their safety.

Extra police were sent in to control the crowds of frustrated commuters.

The cooling operation was expected to go on until about noon today. But fire chiefs gave the all clear early today and Southeastern Railways said disruption should be minimal for commuters this morning.

Updated information is on Southeastern’s website, www.southeasternrailway.co.uk, and through National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950.