File picture: PA

Disruption to services in and out of Paddington are likely to continue for an extra hour this afternoon.

Commuters have faced delays and cancellations on services after a fire yesterday caused damage to lineside equipment.

Network Rail engineers are currently on site in Acton and Hayes.

Two of the four lines currently serving Paddington are still out of action, with normal services not expected to restart until 4pm at the earliest.

Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect services are also still suspended.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “Services to and from Paddington are currently being severely disrupted following two separate signalling problems at Acton and Hayes in west London.

“Until the repairs are complete, two of the four lines serving Paddington will remain closed with an amended timetable in place to many destinations.”

In the meantime, First Great Western tickets will be accepted on South West Trains services between Reading and London Waterloo, London buses in the outer London area, London Underground services from Ealing Broadway, Virgin Trains/Cross Country services to London Euston and Chiltern Services via Banbury to Marylebone.

“We would like to offer our sincere apologies to anyone who has had their travel plans disrupted as a result of these problems, particularly at this very busy time of year,” the spokesman added.