What caused the crisis at Kings Cross subway?
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What caused the crisis at Kings Cross subway?
More than 150 firefighters and 30 fire engines were called to a blaze at King’s Cross station at on the evening of 18 November 1987. The blaze, which is thought to have started around 7:25pm, when a lit match fell through a gap on a wooden escalator and set fire to the grease and litter beneath the steps.
What was illegal on the London Underground 1987?
Tobacco and alcohol Smoking was allowed in certain carriages in trains until 9 July 1984. In the middle of 1987 smoking was banned for a six-month trial period in all parts of the Underground, and the ban was made permanent after the major King’s Cross fire in November 1987.
How has the underground improved in London?
Improvements will include a more frequent service and more reliability from modern signalling systems, walk through carriages, air conditioning in the carriages, and step-free access at platform level.
Who caused Kings Cross fire?
King’s Cross fire
| A police car, three fire engines and an ambulance outside King’s Cross | |
|---|---|
| Date | 18 November 1987 |
| Location | King’s Cross underground station, London, England |
| Type | Structure fire |
| Cause | Lit match discarded on wooden escalator; rapid spread due to trench effect |
How many people died in the King’s Cross underground fire?
31 people
On November 18, 1987 a fire ripped through King’s Cross St Pancras Underground station resulting in the deaths of 31 people.
How many people died in the Kings Cross tube fire?
Can you smoke on underground?
In 1985, smoking was banned on underground platforms, but not on those above ground. A few years later in 1987, smoking in stations and on trains was banned for a six-month trial period, and the full ban was finally enacted later that year when the King’s Cross fire killed 31 people on November 18 1987.
How fast is the Victoria Line?
50 miles per hour
The Victoria line runs faster trains than other Underground lines because it has fewer stops, ATO running and modern design. Train speeds can reach up to 50 miles per hour (80 km/h).
How old are Northern Line trains?
| Northern line | |
|---|---|
| Opened | 18 December 1890 (as City and South London Railway) 28 August 1937 (renamed to Northern line) |
| Last extension | 20 September 2021 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 58 km (36 mi) |
Which tube lines are 24 hours?
The Night Tube
- Five Tube lines run a 24-hour service on Fridays and Saturdays: Victoria, Central, Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines.
- The London Overground operates 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays between New Cross Gate and Highbury & Islington.
- Standard off-peak fares apply on the Night Tube.
How old is the tube?
London Underground
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Began operation | 10 January 1863 |
| Operator(s) | London Underground Limited |
| Reporting marks | LT (National Rail) |
| Technical |