Train passengers had to be evacuated after a tree came crashing down on a power line.

Emergency services were called to the railway line in Macclesfield, near Windmill Street, on Thursday night, March 12.

It followed reports that a tree had fallen onto a power line, with nearby residents describing a 'red flash' and an 'explosion'.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service sent two engines, from the Macclesfield station, to the scene at around 8pm.

A spokesperson said: "Crews were called to a tree that had fallen onto overhead power lines and caught fire near a railway line in Macclesfield.

"The rail company isolated the power, allowing firefighters to safely extinguish the fire using a hose reel jet.

"The tree was then removed from the track, and the incident was handed over to the railway company."

With the line blocked, several services were delayed or cancelled.

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As such, replacement bus services were put in place between Manchester Piccadilly and Stoke-on-Trent.

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: "BTP officers assisted with safely evacuating passengers from a broken down in Macclesfield at around 9.40pm last night."

At 1.31am National Rail posted on X to confirm that disruption caused by the fire had now been cleared.