Train fire leads to two serious injuries and disrupts service at Penn Station.

Amtrak Work Train Fire Near Penn Station Disrupts Service

On Friday morning, an Amtrak work train caught fire close to New York’s Pennsylvania Station, leading to injuries for five workers and significant disruptions for daily commuters.

The fire ignited around 1:30 a.m., following a report received by the FDNY about a work train car on fire on Platform 11 in one of the Hudson River tunnels, according to officials from both the fire department and New Jersey Department of Transportation.

A substantial response was mobilized, with 46 units and 141 personnel deployed to tackle the blaze.

According to the FDNY, two of the injured workers were transported to Bellevue Hospital with serious injuries, while the other three chose not to receive medical assistance.

All five individuals impacted were transit workers, as reported by local authorities.

The fire caused damage to the overhead wiring along Line 11, leading to the suspension of rail service by New Jersey Transit and the Long Island Railroad at the bustling Manhattan station.

In response, New Jersey Transit plans to shift its Midtown Direct Service to Hoboken, providing alternative transportation to passengers with rail tickets through buses and the PATH train to New York’s 33rd Street Station.

All Long Island routes are currently experiencing delays and cancellations, with LIRR trains rerouted to Grand Central or Long Island City.

Amtrak also halted all service south of New York while crews work on repairs to tracks and signals.

“Due to unplanned track and signal maintenance caused by fires in the New York area, all service south of New York (NYP) is temporarily suspended,” Amtrak stated.

These service interruptions are anticipated to last several hours, at least until noon, with further delays expected for routes heading north.

Amtrak has already canceled at least eight trains to and from New York on Friday.

The location of the fire made it necessary for firefighters to access the tracks via an emergency exit at 10th Street and West 32nd Street.

FDNY Deputy Chief Michael Barbels commented on the challenges faced by the firefighters, highlighting the thick smoke and high heat conditions as well as various hazards in the area. “We had to go through an emergency exit to put out the fire. That was the closest option for us,” he explained.