Amtrak fire suspends Penn Station service for NJ Transit commuters
"There was a very loud explosion that shook the train," a commuter said.
An Amtrak maintenance vehicle caught fire in a Hudson River tunnel between New York and New Jersey early Friday, suspending Penn Station service for NJ Transit and Long Island Rail Road commuters.
LIRR service has since resumed, but NJ Transit said its "impacts are expected to last through the morning rush hour."
The fire, which involved an Amtrak contractor maintenance vehicle, erupted in the Hudson River tunnel at about 1:25 a.m., Amtrak said.
One NJ Transit passenger called the experience "frightening," telling ABC News, "Someone yelled there was a fire on the track ... there was a very loud explosion that shook the train and caused the lights to go out. We didn't move for maybe 8 to 10 minutes."
"I rely on NJ Transit to get to work, so I am now deeply concerned about how I will commute safely moving forward," the New Jersey resident said.
Amtrak service is also impacted. Amtrak said trains south of Penn Station are suspended until at least noon while "lengthy delays" are expected north of Penn Station.
