- A commuter train in the San Francisco Bay Area derailed and caught fire on New Year's Day, resulting in minor injuries and service interruptions.
- Several passengers suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital.
- The Orinda station was closed for the day as crews removed damaged cars and inspected the tracks.
A commuter train derailed and caught fire in the San Francisco Bay Area on New Year's Day, leaving several people with minor injuries and service suspended, officials said.
The Bay Area Rapid Transit train was leaving Orinda on its way to Lafayette around 9 a.m. Monday when two cars in front of it ran off the tracks, agency spokesman Jim Allison said.
All passengers were evacuated and firefighters quickly extinguished the flames in both vehicles.
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Allison said several passengers were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The total number of injured was not immediately known. The remaining passengers walked back to Orinda Station.
Passengers prepare to board a train as it arrives at the Walnut Creek Station on the Bay Area High Speed Rail Light Rail System in California on September 13, 2017. A train derailed and caught fire, injuring several people and suspending service, authorities said. New Year's Day in the San Francisco Bay Area. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
Passenger Enrique Gonzalez said the train was delayed and when it started moving again, he heard “several loud pops” and “saw smoke rising from between the cars.” .
“I was sitting by the window and saw the flames shoot up,” he told the San Francisco Chronicle.
Allison said early indications were that the derailment occurred at a track junction where trains switch from one track to another. It was not immediately clear what caused the derailment, which occurred about 13 miles northeast of Oakland.
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Authorities did not immediately say how many people were on board the train when it derailed.
Service was suspended on a 12-mile stretch of rail in both directions between Rockridge and Walnut Creek, according to the Chronicle. BART officials said the Orinda station will likely be closed throughout the day as crews remove damaged cars and inspect the tracks.
Allison said the number of passengers on the transit system was lower than usual on New Year's Day, but tens of thousands of people were likely affected by the disruption.
“It's certainly unfortunate that people are stranded on a holiday like this,” he said.
