SMOKE billowed into the air and flames plumed after a gang of youths threw a scooter on Southampton railway tracks. 

The incident at St Denys station last night shocked local residents, with one saying the flames were so bright, it "looked like daytime".

British Transport Police say they were called at 8.26pm following reports of a "group of youths throwing a scooter onto the tracks", causing an electrical fault. 

Officers attended with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and the item was recovered.

However, they did not locate the youngsters. 

Enquiries into this incident are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 512 of 28/02/22.

Ben Duursma, 21, a student, who lives in Belmont Road, watched the incident unfold. 

"I was sat on my bed when the sky lit up. I thought it was a load of fireworks," he told the Echo.

"It was bright white and orange, and a plume of smoke – it's hard to describe as it was so bright. We could see the colours of the grass and it looked like daytime!

"Police arrived on the scene very quickly, and I think I heard the fire engines shortly after."

A spokesperson for SWR said services today are impacted, but not severely.

“Yesterday evening, trains were disrupted in the Southampton area due to an obstruction on the railway. Delays and cancelations continued to the end of service whilst the railway was inspected and a temporary repair took place.

“Train services have been able to resume this morning, although a temporary speed restriction is in place which may cause some minor delays in the area. We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused.”

Videos and photos of the St Denys train station incident in Southampton