Amtrak fire suspends Penn Station service for NJ Transit commuters
A fire erupted on Amtrak work trains 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 resumed by the morning rush hour, but the NJ Transit suspension into Penn Station lasted through mid-day Friday. Around 1 p.m., NJ Transit said it was resuming trains into and out of Penn Station, but it warned that commuters should still be prepared for delays and cancelations.
Two Amtrak work trains collided in the Hudson River tunnel at about 1:25 a.m., impacting the electrical system and igniting a fire, said Janno Lieber, head of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Several workers were injured, according to ABC New York station WABC.
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 was also impacted. Trains south of Penn Station were suspended all Friday morning and Amtrak warned of "lengthy delays" north of Penn Station.
On Friday afternoon, Amtrak announced that its Penn Station service resumed, but said travelers should expect residual delays.
