Report on the Electrical Fusing that occurred on 6th February 1976 between Finsbury Park and Arsenal Stations of the Piccadilly Line of London Transport Railways

"At about 16.14 on Friday, 6th February l976 the station staff at Finsbury Park became aware that severe electrical fusing was occurring in a switchroom located in a cross passage between the Piccadilly eastbound and the Victoria northbound platforms. The emergency services were summoned and reacted quickly, the Fire Brigade and Metropolitan Police arriving on site at 16.23 and the Ambulance Service shortly afterwards. After investigating the situation, the Fire Brigade requested that the traction current be discharged from both the Piccadilly and the Victoria lines, and this was done progressively between 16.38 and 16.53. As a result of the discharge of traction current seven trains were immobilised in the tunnels and two others had only their leading coaches clear of the tunnel and at a platform. By this time smoke on the eastbound Piccadilly and northbound Victoria platforms had become extremely dense and the Police advised a complete evacuation of passengers and staff from the below-ground areas of the station. With considerable difficulty all passengers, including those in two trains that were at a stand partially in the platforms, were evacuated hut members of London Transport’s staff and the emergency services remained below. Meanwhile. further fusings and outbursts of acrid smoke were occurring in the eastbound Piccadilly Line tunnel between Finsbury Park and Arsenal and at Arsenal Station, and smoke from these outbursts spread into the Victoria Line tunnel. The smoke seriously hampered the task of evacuating passengers from the trains stalled in the tunnels and in some places assistance by the Fire Brigade, using breathing apparatus, was necessary. All passengers from the trains were evacuated to the surface by 18.39. By 19.00 the fusings and outbreaks of smoke had been dealt with and the tunnels were clear of smoke. A complete search was then made of all the tunnels in the affected area and these were reported clear by 21.15. Following examination of the damage by representatives of London Transport's technical departments, the traction current was re-charged from 22.40 onwards. A through Victoria Line service was resumed at 22.46 but, in view of the damage to cables, operations on the Piccadilly Line were at first confined to the movement of trains back to depot. After temporary repairs had been made, services on the Piccadilly Line were resumed at 06.29 on 7th February 1976.

Many people, including passengers, London Transport staff, and members of the emergency services were affected by the dense smoke. Some were given oxygen on site and others first aid, and a total of 25, including 4 London Transport staff, were conveyed to local hospitals by ambulance. Of these, all but one were soon allowed to leave. The one exception was an elderly lady who had collapsed on the platform at Finsbury Park and who subsequently died: her death, I am informed, was certified as being from natural causes and not connected with the incident."

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