In what eyewitnesses describe as a dramatic incident, the fire was only discovered after the eastbound morning express between Bergen and Oslo had already driven into the tunnel underneath the snow shelter.

Latest information indicates the structure and all eight carriages of a train are burnt out. The Norwegian National Rail Administration (Jernbaneverket) reports there are no casualties, but smoke and flames are visible from the air.

“It was terrible, especially because I had my son with me. He complained about feeling sick after inhaling smoke. We were lucky to get help getting out of the train. I’m still shaking,” Charlotte Norgård, one of 250 evacuated passengers tells NRK.

Fire crews are also being hampered in their efforts to put out the blaze by a shortage of water and personnel. At one point, it was feared the station building would fall victim to the flames, but this has now been saved.

Moreover, there were earlier reports of widespread communications problems after one of Telenor’s fibre cables was destroyed, knocking out phones and mobiles in the area. Telenor says partial coverage has been restored.

A fire-fighting helicopter and extra people from Voss Fire Department have been sent to the scene to help. Work to put out the fire will continue throughout the evening, according to railway authorities.

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