Union calls for investigation over fire at Troon station

A rail workers union has called for an urgent investigation following a devastating blaze at Troon railway station.

Firefighters were called to the scene at around 12.40pm on Saturday, July 17 after huge plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the station building.

It took several hours for the fire to be brought under control with severe damage to the fabric of the station with much of its roof gone.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has now called for an investigation, having raised concerns over a lack of staffing at the station.

The building was badly damaged by fire. (ScotRail)

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “The devastating fire at Troon station shines a light on just how dangerous the rail industry’s plans to de-staff our stations are.

“Unstaffed stations not only discriminate against those with accessibility issues but also pose serious health and safety risks for passengers and other rail workers.

“Station staff play a vital role in helping deliver a safe, secure and accessible railway and it is long overdue that this cost-cutting, profit maximising measure of de-staffing our stations and trains by privatised Train Companies and the rail industry was stopped in its tracks due to glaring and serious health and safety risks.”

“Today I have written to the chief inspector of railways demanding he launch an urgent investigation into the Troon Station fire and the wider programme of de-staffing our stations which is only likely to accelerate due to the Government’s and privatised rail industry’s cuts agenda.”