Rail services were delayed after youths set light to a seat on board a train.

Southeastern tweeted last night to say services from Dartford and St Pancras towards Rochester had been delayed due to “disruptive passengers”.

Three teenagers had stuffed newspapers down the back of one of the seats and set fire to them.

An off-duty police officer was alerted by a passenger and the the train driver was able to put the flames out.

The train pulled into Strood station and a crew from Rochester fire station attended at about 10.30pm but firefighters were not needed.

The British Transport Police dealt with the incident.

A spokesman said: "An off duty police officer was travelling on the 9.09pm Charing Cross to Gillingham service when a passenger made him aware of a fire in a carriage.

"He located the fire and made attempts to put it out before pulling the emergency cord.

"The train stopped at Strood and the fire was extinguished.

"The fire, which is thought to have been caused by newspapers which were set alight using an accelerant, damaged the flooring of the train carriage.

"Three people were arrested in connection with the incident which is being treated as arson."

Southeastern tweeted a short time later: “The emergency services have dealt with the incident and trains are able to run again from London towards Strood.”

A 16-year-old boy, a 14-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl all from Medway were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

If anyone has any information about the incident, contact BTP by calling 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016.