Rush hour commuters faced major disruption to rail services after a fire at an West Lothian train station.

The blaze broke out on Wednesday just before 10pm near the station in the village of Blackridge.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said the trees and branches were alight at the side of the station and affected the overhead lines.

The line was declared unsafe as three appliances attended along with fire crime officers, British Transport Police, Scotrail and Police Scotland.

Services between Edinburgh and Milngavie via Airdrie have been affected and could remain so until around 12pm.

A replacement bus service has been put in place between Bathgate and Edinburgh.

Network Rail confirmed teams were repairing damage close to the line in Blackridge and advised travellers to seek information from ScotRail.

The British Transport Police are now investigating the fire which caused the 14-hour closure.

DC Niall McGugan said: "Although this fire was contained very quickly, the damage was extensive and the repair cost will be significant.

"Whilst we are still working to determine exactly what happened, at this time we are working to the presumption that this fire was started deliberately.

"I am very keen to speak with anyone who may have been in the area at this time or saw anyone acting suspiciously.

"Please get in touch as your information may help us investigate."

ScotRail stated the deliberate blaze had caused "extensive damage" and advised on which services were affected.

A spokesman confirmed services between Airdrie and Bathgate were temporarily suspended while railway equipment such as cabling was repaired because the blaze had spread on to the railway.

He added: "As a result of this incident last night, trains have been suspended between Airdrie and Bathgate since around midnight.

"To keep people moving, replacement shuttle buses are running between Airdrie and Bathgate and valid train tickets can be used on Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams between Edinburgh Park and Edinburgh.

"Customers are also reminded to retain their tickets in order to reclaim through our Delay Repay scheme if their journey is delayed by more than 30 minutes."

Anyone with any information can contact BTP by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 560 of 18/01/2017.

Alternatively, pass information anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.