Reported Amtrak Train Fire In Newark Causes Major Delays
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A reported fire on an Amtrak train at Newark Penn Station caused major delays on two NJ TRANSIT lines Saturday afternoon.
The fire was reported on an Amtrak train belonging to an unspecified line at the Newark depot Saturday afternoon, according to NJ TRANSIT.
Reported Amtrak Train Fire In Newark Causes Major Delays
There were no passengers aboard the train at the time of the fire, but there were 297 passengers waiting to board the train in Newark, according to Amtrak.
The southbound train was headed for Virginia. Passengers were transferred to other trains.
As a result, North Jersey Coast Line and Northeast Corridor NJ TRANSIT stops experienced 30 to 60 minute delays during the 1 p.m. hour, officials said.
An NJ TRANSIT passenger, Cory Cole, said trains were halted around 12:20 p.m., and passengers were told of the fire. Soon afterward, power was shut off by the fire department, and the train was halted for about an hour and 20 minutes with no power – meaning no light or air conditioning, he said.
The train car was crowded with almost all seats taken and some people standing, and it got hot very quickly, he said.
After the wait, another train arrived and passengers were brought down the tracks to walk onto the new train, he said.
By the 2 p.m. hour, the delays had been reduced to 10 to 15 minutes.
Power reportedly had to be cut to multiple train lines in the station.
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