HUNDREDS of rush hour commuters were late for work on Thursday morning after trains were delayed by a fire at Woolwich Dockyard station.

A train driver saw an explosion while going through the station at 7:25am. It is believed that the fire was caused by rubbish underneath a platform.

Officers from London Fire Brigade said the incident was resolved by 9:17am. However, signalling equipment has been damaged causing chaos for commuters.

ANOTHER tower could be about to sprout up on the eastern end of the Canary Wharf estate.

Canary Wharf Group (CWG) has submitted an application for a 23-storey development at 25 Churchill Place, which could house around 4,000 employees.

It is the last site within the original estate masterplan to be developed.

The 0.36 hectare plot has existing planning permission for a 61,300 square metre development under the original Enterprise Zone consent for Canary Wharf in 1982, but CWG has bid to increase the height of the building from 80.77 to 130 metres above UK sea level. Site preparations and piling have been completed.

WE’RE all aware that Docklands has a colourful past but one new website gives an insight into what it was really like in ye olde Isle of Dogs.

Murder, riots and one poor soul who was sentenced to death for interfering with a cow, are all included in the Old Bailey records of 1674 to 1913, which were released last week.

But one crime, which helped form the docks of today and saw the perpetrators facing long periods in prison or being shipped off to a harsh life in Australia, was the heinous activity of… sugar theft.

FORMER Home Secretary David Blunkett was handing out awards in Canary Wharf this week, and was full of praise for those who overcome adversity to succeed in business.

Mr Blunkett and Attorney General Baroness Scotland were the keynote speakers at the National Mentoring Consortium awards at Lehman Brothers headquarters in Bank Street on Tuesday.

The scheme, set up 14 years ago, has successfully developed links between universities, including the University of East London, and employers such as Lehman Brothers and Barclays, giving disabled students or those from ethnic minorities the opportunity to gain valuable advice and experience from business people in a work environment.

Millwall striker Neil Harris has been rewarded with the offer of a new contract after a strong finish to the season.

The 30-year-old was all set to leave the club after last Saturday's final League One game at Swindon, but was desperate to extend his stay at The Den, a plea he put in print in The Wharf last week.

But Harris' man-of-the-match display against Carlisle on April 26 seems to have persuaded Lions' boss Kenny Jackett to reconsider his decision to allow him to leave on a free transfer.

THE days of playing marbles are over for one Docklands resident.

Kalum Lamptey, 20, of Zetland Street has been banned from carrying marbles, stones, rocks and pebbles under an anti-social behaviour order given to him by Thames Magistrates on April 30.

A week before he pleaded guilty to 15 cases of stealing from vehicles.

AN ISLE of Dogs family has set off on the longest road trip of their lives.

Ishak Ghani, his wife Alison Murugesu-Ghani and their three-year-old son Adrian, will trade Docklands for the delights of America, Europe and Asia on a two-and-a-half year charity expedition.

The Malaysians in Motion “team” left their home in Lockes Wharf last Thursday, and were flagged off by Tourism Malaysia’s UK deputy director Razaidi Abd Rahim.

They hope to raise money for pet therapy charity Petpositive.

IT LOOKS like a brick-built cousin of the nightmarish sci-fi pods seen in The Matrix.

But this egg-shaped home could help homeowners heal the planet.

Alternative builders Eco Hab Homes are showcasing their unusual dwellings at the Grand Designs Live exhibition in Royal Docks. The curious cocoons range from four to six metres in diameter, and range from an £8,900 bungalow to a two-floor home with its own bedroom, living area, kitchen and bathroom, costing nearly £80,000. See www.ecohab.co.uk for more details.

The zero-carbon pod is among several eco-projects taking place at the nine-day show at ExCeL. Presenter Kevin McCloud kicked off his attempt to build a home in six days over the weekend, and rail closures did not stop waves of designers making the trip to East London. The exhibition is expected to attract up to 500,000 visitors this year, and is the subject of a live Channel 4 broadcast.

LAST-PLACED candidate Winston McKenzie has pledged to bounce off the ropes and eventually take City Hall.

The Croydon-born former boxer battled Boris and Ken without the aid of a political party, marshaling his own campaign from an office in South Quay.

But despite bringing up the rear in this year’s bout with 5,389 first-choice votes, he is confident he will play a part in mayoral politics in the future.

He said: “I’m certain I will be Mayor of London someday. I’m a man that came from nothing, with little or no media exposure, who still got the ear of around 40,000 first and second choice voters. I’m still smiling about that.
“But right now I’m waiting with baited breath for a phone call from Boris Johnson. I believe I’m the type of man he needs around.”

West Ham wrap up their season on Sunday when Aston Villa travel to Upton Park in a game that has significance for both clubs.

The Hammers need to win to guarantee tenth place, ahead of bitter rivals Tottenham who lie just two points behind them in the Premier League table.

Spurs' superior goal difference means Alan Curbishley's men could be overtaken if they draw and Tottenham beat Liverpool, something that would be unpalatable to the majority of the Upton Park faithful.