UPDATE: All lines are now open and services are starting to return to normal, with some minor delays, as of 10.30am.

Train chiefs have apologised to commuters for severe delays caused by a line-side fire which damaged railway cables between Whitton and Twickenham this morning.

Trains running through the stations were subject to cancellation or delays of up to 45 minutes, as of 9.05am this morning.

The small fire, which broke out at about 8am, was quickly extinguished but the damage to cables affected trains to and from Waterloo, including the Hounslow loop services.

An SWT spokeswoman said engineers were on site but delays were expected to continue until 1pm today.

"We would like to apologise to passengers for the delay to their journey this morning," she added.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said it had received an automated call to Craneford Way, Twickenham, this morning but there was no fire when officers attended.

Passengers can follow SWT on Twitter with the hashtag: #Twickenham for the latest information or visit http://www.journeycheck.southwesttrains.co.uk