Manhattan subway train fire injures 8 MTA workers, 6 firefighters at Astor Place station
EAST VILLAGE, Manhattan (WABC) -- A fire on a subway work train filled the Astor Place station with smoke early Tuesday, injuring eight MTA workers and six firefighters.
The southbound train caught fire on the express tracks at the station just before 2:30 a.m.
The fire spewed heavy smoke through the station in the East Village, sending commuters on the platform level to the street.
"A lot of heavy smoke, not only at street level but also at the station level," FDNY Assistant Chief Tom Currao said.
At the same time, a northbound train arrived at the station and discharged its passengers. Firefighters helped them to safety and made sure none were injured.
The fire started in a four-car vacuum train, used to clean up debris and litter off the tracks.
"We seem to have a little bit of a stubborn fire in one particular filter bay. This is the train that actually cleans the tracks. It pulls up the oil and debris from the tracks. We think that might have possibly been one of the areas where the ignition occurred," Currao said.
Subway service was suspended on the 4 and 6 lines, but restored with delays in time for the morning commute.
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts on the go
* Download our connected TV app
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
