CTA Fire Temporarily Disrupts Service Along Blue Line
CHICAGO (STMW) -- All lanes of the Eisenhower Expressway are reopened Friday afternoon following a small fire aboard a CTA Blue Line train on the Near West Side that left passengers walking the tracks to the station.
Smoke was reported aboard the train after a small fire began on the tracks about 3:50 p.m. near the Blue Line Illinois Medical District station, CTA spokeswoman Sheila Gregory said. The fire was quickly extinguished by emergency crews.
Several passengers aboard the train were escorted by CTA personnel along the tracks to the Western station, CTA spokeswoman Catherine Hosinski said.
No injuries were reported, Fire Media Affairs spokesman Quention Curtis said.
The fire shut down a portion of the Eisenhower (I-290) between Western and Damen avenues, he said.
Illinois State Police confirmed the shutdown was to make room for fire equipment but said all lanes were open again within 15 minutes.
Blue Line service remains interrupted between the Pulaski and Racine stations as of 5 p.m., Hosinski said. Shuttle buses are running between the stations to accommodate affected customers.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
