A fire broke out on a work train at the Astor Place station early Tuesday, sending heavy smoke through the station and injuring MTA workers and firefighters.
1:11 PM
A fire broke out on a work train at the Astor Place subway station in Manhattan's East Village early Tuesday morning, sending heavy smoke through the station and injuring 14 people, authorities said.
Firefighters received a call just after 2:15 a.m. about the blaze on the subway vacuum car. The fire reached two alarms, and more than 140 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to the scene.
"A lot of heavy smoke, not only at street level but also at the station level," FDNY Assistant Chief Tom Currao told reporters during a press conference. The smoke billowed from the station, creating a chaotic scene as passengers and workers fled.
According to officials, the fire broke out as a northbound 4 train was entering the station. As the work train caught fire, the arriving passenger train discharged its riders. Firefighters helped the passengers to safety and confirmed none were injured during the evacuation.
Cellphone video obtained by news outlets showed both subway riders and MTA workers fleeing the station. One rider described the scene: "It was smoke coming from down the platform, filling up the whole station, and it got unbearable. And we all started to cough. A lot of people ran outside."
Six firefighters and seven MTA workers were transported to the hospital, according to FDNY officials. Another subway worker was evaluated at the scene. Currao said at least seven MTA subway workers were treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire caused service disruptions in the area. City officials said delays were expected on Brooklyn-bound 4 and 6 trains following the incident.
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