SMOKE emanating from the railway line near Bournemouth station prompted an emergency response this evening.

Firefighters were called to the stretch of track behind Northcote Road at 6.25pm.

A Dorset Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “A smouldering railway sleeper was located and crews had to work closely with the rail investigation officer as it was located near a live railway track at a busy junction.

“The live track was eventually isolated and the sleeper cut away and cooled.”

The crew from Springbourne deemed the area safe at 7.47pm.

The cause of the incident is not yet known.