London Underground accidents
Encyclopedia
The London Underground
network carries more than a billion
passengers a year. It is one of the safest mass transport systems in the world with just one fatal accident for every 300 million journeys. Per passenger carried, London Underground’s safety record is even better than that of British Rail
, which in turn exceeds those of other transport modes. Only five accidents causing passenger deaths have occurred due to train operation in nearly 150 years, the last being at Moorgate
in 1975; other fatalities have been due to wartime and terrorist bombings and station fires. A major contributor to this exemplary safety record is the automatic signalling system, including train stop
s which stops the train if it passes a signal at danger
.
(now Embankment
) in 1938.
The first was on 10 March. when two Northern Line
trains collided
between Waterloo
and Charing Cross, with 12 passengers suffering minor injuries.
On 17 May, two District Line
trains collided
near Charing Cross
, killing 6.
Significantly, both accidents were caused by wrong-side failure
s of the signals
due to signal linesmen's wiring errors.
, a bomb fell in the road above Balham tube station, with the blast penetrating into the tunnel 9 metres below. The water mains and sewage pipes were broken, causing flooding and the loss of 68 lives - 64 shelterers and 4 railway staff. The station and the tracks between Clapham South
and Tooting Bec
(then called Trinity Road, Tooting Bec
) were closed until January 1941.
bomb
. The roadway collapsed into the subways and station concourse
, killing 56 people.
, which was used at the time as an air-raid shelter. An anti-aircraft battery, a few hundred yards away in Victoria Park
, launched a salvo of a new type of anti-aircraft rocket
s, causing the crowd to surge forward. A woman tripped on the stairs causing many others to fall. Three hundred people were crushed into the stairwell, 173 of them were dead at the scene.
trains collided
in fog on an open-air section near Northwood. The driver of the second train had passed a danger signal under the “Stop and Proceed” rule but did not see the preceding train soon enough to stop. A fire was started by electrical arcing. 3 people were killed.
train hit the buffers at Edgware
. No passengers were killed; the driver died, but it was shown that he had suffered a heart attack
at the controls before the collision. The dead man's handle
had failed in its desired effect of stopping the train.
trains collided in a tunnel section during disruption caused by a signal
failure, killing 12 people.
in 1958 and 1960, due to electrical short circuits in the trains causing arcing. In both cases the trains had to be evacuated in the tunnels and passengers and crew suffered from smoke inhalation. One passenger died in the Holland Park fire on 28 July 1958. There were no fatalities in the Redbridge fire on 11 August 1960.
train crashed into the tunnel end beyond the platform at Moorgate station
. Forty-three people were killed at the scene and several more subsequently died from severe injuries, in what was the greatest loss of life on the Underground in peacetime. As the driver was one of the initial 43 dead, the cause of the incident was never conclusively determined, and an accidental death verdict was recorded at the official inquest.
train failed to stop in time after passing a signal at danger and being tripped by a train stop
. The train hit another train standing in the westbound platform at Holborn
. No serious injuries were caused by the accident. An inquiry concluded that the accident was caused by the motorman of the rear train failing to control his train.
. It started at 9.50 p.m. in a materials store and was declared extinguished at 3 a.m. the next day. Fourteen people were treated for smoke inhalation.
The probable cause of the fire was smoker
's materials being pushed through a ventilation grille into the materials store. This ignited rags or paint thinner within the store.
s. As a result of this, the widely-ignored smoking ban was more rigorously enforced throughout the system. Almost all of the network's wooden escalators have now been replaced by steel ones, and other measures have been put in place to help prevent a repeat incident.
train of 1992 stock
derailed at Chancery Lane, injuring 32 passengers, after a motor became detached from the train. The entire line, and the Waterloo & City Line
(which also uses 1992 Stock
trains), were closed for approximately three months whilst the cause of the failure was determined and appropriate modifications made to the trains.
train of 1973 stock
derailed east of Hammersmith tube station
. The cause was a broken rail. None of the 70 passengers on board were injured.
train of 1995 stock
derailed on the approach to Camden Town tube station
. The derailed car hit a wall and the fifth car was partially derailed. Seven passengers were injured, 6 of which were minor injuries. The other injury was a broken thigh. The cause was found to be in the design of the set of points at locations with specific characteristics.
of the 7th car of an 8-car Central Line
train of 1992 stock
derailed on a set of points during the approach to White City tube station
. None of the 150 passengers on board were injured, a normal train service was restored the next day. The cause was found to be in the design of the set of points at locations with specific characteristics and a switch rail that had been replaced the day before the accident.
http://www.metronetrail.com/webfiles/General/White_City_Derailment_Final_Report.pdf
train of 1992 stock
derailed at 65 km/h between Bethnal Green
and Mile End
tube stations. Five hundred and twenty passengers were trapped below ground for 2 hours, until they were escorted from the derailed train by following one another along the tracks to Mile End tube station
. Eight people required hospital treatment and a further 13 were treated at the scene for minor injuries. Most of the injuries were caused while walking along the uneven surface in the tunnel. The Central Line was suspended between Liverpool Street and Leytonstone until the end of the following day as a safety investigation was carried out and the derailed train was rerailed. The investigation found that the derailment was caused by a roll of fire-resistant material
being blown onto the tracks from its storage place in a connecting passageway between the two tunnels. The blanket had not been adequately secured, since the workers had not realised how strong the winds blowing through the passage were.
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
network carries more than a billion
1000000000 (number)
1,000,000,000 is the natural number following 999,999,999 and preceding 1,000,000,001.In scientific notation, it is written as 109....
passengers a year. It is one of the safest mass transport systems in the world with just one fatal accident for every 300 million journeys. Per passenger carried, London Underground’s safety record is even better than that of British Rail
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
, which in turn exceeds those of other transport modes. Only five accidents causing passenger deaths have occurred due to train operation in nearly 150 years, the last being at Moorgate
Moorgate tube crash
The Moorgate tube crash was a railway disaster on the London Underground, which occurred on 28 February 1975 at 08.46 am.A southbound train on the Northern Line crashed into the tunnel end beyond the platform at Moorgate station...
in 1975; other fatalities have been due to wartime and terrorist bombings and station fires. A major contributor to this exemplary safety record is the automatic signalling system, including train stop
Train stop
Part of a railway signalling system, a train stop or trip stop is a train protection device that automatically stops a train if it attempts to pass a signal when the signal aspect and operating rules prohibit such movement, or if it attempts to pass at an excessive speed.- Basic operation :The...
s which stops the train if it passes a signal at danger
Signal passed at danger
A Signal passed at danger , in British railway terminology, occurs when a train passes a stop signal without authority to do so. It is a term primarily used within the British Railway Industry, although it can be applied worldwide.-Categories of SPAD:...
.
Charing Cross
Two accidents occurred near Charing CrossEmbankment tube station
Embankment is a London Underground station in the City of Westminster, known by various names during its history. It is served by the Circle, District, Northern and Bakerloo lines. On the Northern and Bakerloo lines, the station is between Waterloo and Charing Cross stations; on the Circle and...
(now Embankment
Embankment tube station
Embankment is a London Underground station in the City of Westminster, known by various names during its history. It is served by the Circle, District, Northern and Bakerloo lines. On the Northern and Bakerloo lines, the station is between Waterloo and Charing Cross stations; on the Circle and...
) in 1938.
The first was on 10 March. when two Northern Line
Northern Line
The Northern line is a London Underground line. It is coloured black on the Tube map.For most of its length it is a deep-level tube line. The line carries 206,734,000 passengers per year. This is the highest number of any line on the London Underground system, but the Northern line is unique in...
trains collided
Rear-end collision
A rear-end collision is a traffic accident wherein a vehicle crashes into the vehicle in front of it, usually caused by tailgating or panic stops...
between Waterloo
Waterloo tube station
Waterloo tube station is a London Underground station located at Waterloo station. It is the second busiest station on the network and is served by the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and the Waterloo & City lines...
and Charing Cross, with 12 passengers suffering minor injuries.
On 17 May, two District Line
District Line
The District line is a line of the London Underground, coloured green on the Tube map. It is a "sub-surface" line, running through the central area in shallow cut-and-cover tunnels. It is the busiest of the sub-surface lines. Out of the 60 stations served, 25 are underground...
trains collided
Rear-end collision
A rear-end collision is a traffic accident wherein a vehicle crashes into the vehicle in front of it, usually caused by tailgating or panic stops...
near Charing Cross
Embankment tube station
Embankment is a London Underground station in the City of Westminster, known by various names during its history. It is served by the Circle, District, Northern and Bakerloo lines. On the Northern and Bakerloo lines, the station is between Waterloo and Charing Cross stations; on the Circle and...
, killing 6.
Significantly, both accidents were caused by wrong-side failure
Wrong-side failure
A wrong side failure describes a failure condition in a piece of railway signalling equipment that results in an unsafe state.A typical example would be a signal showing a 'proceed' aspect when it should be showing a 'stop' or 'danger' aspect, resulting in a "false clear"...
s of the signals
Railway signal
A signal is a mechanical or electrical device erected beside a railway line to pass information relating to the state of the line ahead to train/engine drivers. The driver interprets the signal's indication and acts accordingly...
due to signal linesmen's wiring errors.
Balham
On October 14, 1940, during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a bomb fell in the road above Balham tube station, with the blast penetrating into the tunnel 9 metres below. The water mains and sewage pipes were broken, causing flooding and the loss of 68 lives - 64 shelterers and 4 railway staff. The station and the tracks between Clapham South
Clapham South tube station
Clapham South tube station is a station on London Underground's Northern Line between and Balham stations. The station is located at the corner of Balham Hill and Nightingale Lane...
and Tooting Bec
Tooting Bec tube station
Tooting Bec is a London Underground station in Tooting, South London. The station is on the Northern line, between Balham and stations. It is located on the junction of Trinity Road , Upper Tooting Road , Balham High Road , Tooting Bec Road and Stapleton Road...
(then called Trinity Road, Tooting Bec
Tooting Bec
Tooting Bec is a place in the London Borough of Wandsworth in south London.It is named after Bec Abbey in Normandy, which was given land in this area after the Norman Conquest. Saint Anselm, the second Abbot of Bec, is reputed to have been a visitor to Tooting Bec long before he succeeded...
) were closed until January 1941.
Bank
On 11 January 1941 during World War II the Central Line ticket hall of Bank station suffered a direct hit from a GermanGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
bomb
Bomb
A bomb is any of a range of explosive weapons that only rely on the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy...
. The roadway collapsed into the subways and station concourse
Concourse
A concourse is a place where pathways or roads meet, such as in a hotel, a convention center, a railway station, an airport terminal, a hall, or other space.-Examples:Examples of concourses include:* Meeting halls* Universities* Railway stations...
, killing 56 people.
The Bethnal Green crush
On 3 March 1943, a crowd of people entered Bethnal Green tube stationBethnal Green tube station
Bethnal Green tube station is a station on the Central Line of the London Underground in Bethnal Green, East London. It lies between Liverpool Street and Mile End stations, and in Travelcard Zone 2. The station was opened as part of the long planned Central Line eastern extension on 4 December...
, which was used at the time as an air-raid shelter. An anti-aircraft battery, a few hundred yards away in Victoria Park
Victoria Park, East London
Victoria Park is 86.18 hectares of open space that stretches out across part of the East End of London, England bordering parts of Bethnal Green, Hackney, and Bow, such as along Old Ford Road, London E3 and Victoria Park Road E9. The park is entirely within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets...
, launched a salvo of a new type of anti-aircraft rocket
Rocket
A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle which obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction...
s, causing the crowd to surge forward. A woman tripped on the stairs causing many others to fall. Three hundred people were crushed into the stairwell, 173 of them were dead at the scene.
Northwood crash
On 31 December 1945, two Metropolitan LineMetropolitan Line
The Metropolitan line is part of the London Underground. It is coloured in Transport for London's Corporate Magenta on the Tube map and in other branding. It was the first underground railway in the world, opening as the Metropolitan Railway on 10 January 1863...
trains collided
Rear-end collision
A rear-end collision is a traffic accident wherein a vehicle crashes into the vehicle in front of it, usually caused by tailgating or panic stops...
in fog on an open-air section near Northwood. The driver of the second train had passed a danger signal under the “Stop and Proceed” rule but did not see the preceding train soon enough to stop. A fire was started by electrical arcing. 3 people were killed.
Edgware buffer stop collision
On 27 July 1946, a Northern LineNorthern Line
The Northern line is a London Underground line. It is coloured black on the Tube map.For most of its length it is a deep-level tube line. The line carries 206,734,000 passengers per year. This is the highest number of any line on the London Underground system, but the Northern line is unique in...
train hit the buffers at Edgware
Edgware
Edgware is an area in London, situated north-northwest of Charing Cross. It forms part of both the London Borough of Barnet and the London Borough of Harrow. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
. No passengers were killed; the driver died, but it was shown that he had suffered a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
at the controls before the collision. The dead man's handle
Dead man's switch
A dead man's switch is a switch that is automatically operated in case the human operator becomes incapacitated, such as through death or loss of consciousness....
had failed in its desired effect of stopping the train.
Stratford crash
On 8 April 1953 two Central LineCentral Line
The Central line is a London Underground line, coloured red on the tube map. It is a deep-level "tube" line, running east-west across London, and, at , has the greatest total length of track of any line on the Underground. Of the 49 stations served, 20 are below ground...
trains collided in a tunnel section during disruption caused by a signal
Railway signal
A signal is a mechanical or electrical device erected beside a railway line to pass information relating to the state of the line ahead to train/engine drivers. The driver interprets the signal's indication and acts accordingly...
failure, killing 12 people.
Holland Park and Redbridge fires
Two train fires occurred on the Central lineCentral Line
The Central line is a London Underground line, coloured red on the tube map. It is a deep-level "tube" line, running east-west across London, and, at , has the greatest total length of track of any line on the Underground. Of the 49 stations served, 20 are below ground...
in 1958 and 1960, due to electrical short circuits in the trains causing arcing. In both cases the trains had to be evacuated in the tunnels and passengers and crew suffered from smoke inhalation. One passenger died in the Holland Park fire on 28 July 1958. There were no fatalities in the Redbridge fire on 11 August 1960.
Moorgate crash
On 28 February 1975 a southbound Northern City LineNorthern City Line
The Northern City Line is a railway line from Moorgate to Finsbury Park in London, once part of the Great Northern Electrics line. It should not be confused with the City branch of the Northern line, nor with the North London Line...
train crashed into the tunnel end beyond the platform at Moorgate station
Moorgate station
Moorgate station is a central London railway terminus and London Underground station on Moorgate in the City of London; it provides National Rail services by First Capital Connect for Hertford, Welwyn Garden City and Letchworth and also serves the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan Lines and...
. Forty-three people were killed at the scene and several more subsequently died from severe injuries, in what was the greatest loss of life on the Underground in peacetime. As the driver was one of the initial 43 dead, the cause of the incident was never conclusively determined, and an accidental death verdict was recorded at the official inquest.
Holborn rail crash
On 9 July 1980 a Central LineCentral Line
The Central line is a London Underground line, coloured red on the tube map. It is a deep-level "tube" line, running east-west across London, and, at , has the greatest total length of track of any line on the Underground. Of the 49 stations served, 20 are below ground...
train failed to stop in time after passing a signal at danger and being tripped by a train stop
Train stop
Part of a railway signalling system, a train stop or trip stop is a train protection device that automatically stops a train if it attempts to pass a signal when the signal aspect and operating rules prohibit such movement, or if it attempts to pass at an excessive speed.- Basic operation :The...
. The train hit another train standing in the westbound platform at Holborn
Holborn tube station
Holborn is a station of the London Underground in Holborn in London, located at the junction of High Holborn and Kingsway. Situated on the Piccadilly Line and on the Central Line , it is the only station common to the two lines, although the two lines cross each other three times elsewhere...
. No serious injuries were caused by the accident. An inquiry concluded that the accident was caused by the motorman of the rear train failing to control his train.
Leyton rail crash
Near to Leyton station in August 1984, a train correctly applied the procedure for passing a red signal but did not maintain a low speed thereafter, resulting in a collision with the train in front and the death of the driver.Oxford Circus fire
On 23 November 1984 a fire raged inside Oxford Circus stationOxford Circus tube station
-External links:* ** ** * Plans of the station after the Victoria Line works , , *...
. It started at 9.50 p.m. in a materials store and was declared extinguished at 3 a.m. the next day. Fourteen people were treated for smoke inhalation.
The probable cause of the fire was smoker
Tobacco smoking
Tobacco smoking is the practice where tobacco is burned and the resulting smoke is inhaled. The practice may have begun as early as 5000–3000 BCE. Tobacco was introduced to Eurasia in the late 16th century where it followed common trade routes...
's materials being pushed through a ventilation grille into the materials store. This ignited rags or paint thinner within the store.
Kilburn Crash
At Kilburn station in December 1984, a train incorrectly passed a signal at danger in foggy weather. The driver reset the controls, moved forward, and was killed when the train collided with a stationary train in front.King's Cross fire
On 18 November 1987, a large fire broke out in King's Cross St Pancras station. Thirty-one people died, killed by the toxic fumes and extreme heat of the blaze. The fire was the result of a discarded match or cigarette igniting debris, detritus and grease beneath the wooden escalatorEscalator
An escalator is a moving staircase – a conveyor transport device for carrying people between floors of a building. The device consists of a motor-driven chain of individual, linked steps that move up or down on tracks, allowing the step treads to remain horizontal.Escalators are used around the...
s. As a result of this, the widely-ignored smoking ban was more rigorously enforced throughout the system. Almost all of the network's wooden escalators have now been replaced by steel ones, and other measures have been put in place to help prevent a repeat incident.
Chancery Lane derailment
On 25 January 2003, a Central LineCentral Line
The Central line is a London Underground line, coloured red on the tube map. It is a deep-level "tube" line, running east-west across London, and, at , has the greatest total length of track of any line on the Underground. Of the 49 stations served, 20 are below ground...
train of 1992 stock
London Underground 1992 Stock
The 1992 Tube Stock is the type of train used on the Central line and Waterloo & City line of the London Underground.-Construction:The 1992 Stock was built by ABB for the Central line as the result of the extensive testing of the three 1986 tube stock prototype trains...
derailed at Chancery Lane, injuring 32 passengers, after a motor became detached from the train. The entire line, and the Waterloo & City Line
Waterloo & City Line
The Waterloo & City line is a short underground railway line in London, which was formally opened on 11 July 1898. It has only two stations, Waterloo and Bank...
(which also uses 1992 Stock
London Underground 1992 Stock
The 1992 Tube Stock is the type of train used on the Central line and Waterloo & City line of the London Underground.-Construction:The 1992 Stock was built by ABB for the Central line as the result of the extensive testing of the three 1986 tube stock prototype trains...
trains), were closed for approximately three months whilst the cause of the failure was determined and appropriate modifications made to the trains.
Hammersmith derailment
On 17 October 2003 the last carriage of a 6-car eastbound Piccadilly LinePiccadilly Line
The Piccadilly line is a line of the London Underground, coloured dark blue on the Tube map. It is the fifth busiest line on the Underground network judged by the number of passengers transported per year. It is mainly a deep-level line, running from the north to the west of London via Zone 1, with...
train of 1973 stock
London Underground 1973 Stock
The 1973 Tube Stock operates on the Piccadilly line of the London Underground and was introduced in 1975 for the opening of the extension to Hatton Cross .-Construction:...
derailed east of Hammersmith tube station
Hammersmith tube station
There are two London Underground stations called Hammersmith:* Hammersmith tube station * Hammersmith tube station -See also:* Hammersmith & Chiswick railway station...
. The cause was a broken rail. None of the 70 passengers on board were injured.
Camden Town derailment
On 19 October 2003 the last carriage of a 6-car Northern LineNorthern Line
The Northern line is a London Underground line. It is coloured black on the Tube map.For most of its length it is a deep-level tube line. The line carries 206,734,000 passengers per year. This is the highest number of any line on the London Underground system, but the Northern line is unique in...
train of 1995 stock
London Underground 1995 Stock
The London Underground's 1995 stock is used in daily service on the Northern Line. There are 106 six car trains in operation; they entered service between 12 June 1998 and 10 April 2001....
derailed on the approach to Camden Town tube station
Camden Town tube station
Camden Town tube station is a major junction on the Northern Line and one of the busiest stations on the London Underground network...
. The derailed car hit a wall and the fifth car was partially derailed. Seven passengers were injured, 6 of which were minor injuries. The other injury was a broken thigh. The cause was found to be in the design of the set of points at locations with specific characteristics.
White City derailment
On 11 May 2004 the leading bogieBogie
A bogie is a wheeled wagon or trolley. In mechanics terms, a bogie is a chassis or framework carrying wheels, attached to a vehicle. It can be fixed in place, as on a cargo truck, mounted on a swivel, as on a railway carriage/car or locomotive, or sprung as in the suspension of a caterpillar...
of the 7th car of an 8-car Central Line
Central Line
The Central line is a London Underground line, coloured red on the tube map. It is a deep-level "tube" line, running east-west across London, and, at , has the greatest total length of track of any line on the Underground. Of the 49 stations served, 20 are below ground...
train of 1992 stock
London Underground 1992 Stock
The 1992 Tube Stock is the type of train used on the Central line and Waterloo & City line of the London Underground.-Construction:The 1992 Stock was built by ABB for the Central line as the result of the extensive testing of the three 1986 tube stock prototype trains...
derailed on a set of points during the approach to White City tube station
White City tube station
White City tube station is a London Underground station situated on Wood Lane in White City in west London. The station is on the Central Line, between Shepherds Bush and East Acton stations, in Travelcard Zone 2.-History:...
. None of the 150 passengers on board were injured, a normal train service was restored the next day. The cause was found to be in the design of the set of points at locations with specific characteristics and a switch rail that had been replaced the day before the accident.
http://www.metronetrail.com/webfiles/General/White_City_Derailment_Final_Report.pdf
Mile End derailment
On 5 July 2007 2 cars of an 8-car westbound Central LineCentral Line
The Central line is a London Underground line, coloured red on the tube map. It is a deep-level "tube" line, running east-west across London, and, at , has the greatest total length of track of any line on the Underground. Of the 49 stations served, 20 are below ground...
train of 1992 stock
London Underground 1992 Stock
The 1992 Tube Stock is the type of train used on the Central line and Waterloo & City line of the London Underground.-Construction:The 1992 Stock was built by ABB for the Central line as the result of the extensive testing of the three 1986 tube stock prototype trains...
derailed at 65 km/h between Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green tube station
Bethnal Green tube station is a station on the Central Line of the London Underground in Bethnal Green, East London. It lies between Liverpool Street and Mile End stations, and in Travelcard Zone 2. The station was opened as part of the long planned Central Line eastern extension on 4 December...
and Mile End
Mile End tube station
Mile End is a London Underground station in Tower Hamlets, East London, served by the Hammersmith & City, District and Central Lines. It is in Travelcard Zone 2.-History:...
tube stations. Five hundred and twenty passengers were trapped below ground for 2 hours, until they were escorted from the derailed train by following one another along the tracks to Mile End tube station
Mile End
Mile End is an area within the East End of London, England, and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross...
. Eight people required hospital treatment and a further 13 were treated at the scene for minor injuries. Most of the injuries were caused while walking along the uneven surface in the tunnel. The Central Line was suspended between Liverpool Street and Leytonstone until the end of the following day as a safety investigation was carried out and the derailed train was rerailed. The investigation found that the derailment was caused by a roll of fire-resistant material
Fire blanket
A fire blanket is a safety device designed to extinguish small incipient fires. It consists of a sheet of fire retardant material which is placed over a fire in order to smother it ....
being blown onto the tracks from its storage place in a connecting passageway between the two tunnels. The blanket had not been adequately secured, since the workers had not realised how strong the winds blowing through the passage were.