LIRR back to normal after car fire snarls AM commute

Wednesday, July 27, 2016
WESTBURY, Long Island (WABC) -- Long Island Rail Road service is back to normal in time for the Wednesday evening commute after an early-morning crash caused a fire on the tracks.

Just after 2 a.m., authorities say a car drove over a running rail at the second crossing east of the Westbury station, causing it to burst into flames.
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Service on one track was restored by 4:30 a.m., but there was significant fire damage to the third rail and to track 2 that prompted the delay or cancellation of several trains.

The 30-year-old driver of the vehicle escaped injury and was was charged with driving while intoxicated.
The fire damaged one of two tracks near Urban Avenue in Westbury.
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By early afternoon, the LIRR was experiencing scattered delays, but officials anticipated a normal ride home for straphangers.
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