Track Fire At Union Square Station Causes Delays For 4, 5, 6 Trains
April 9, 2019, 9:19 a.m.
Besides delays to the 4, 5, and 6, the L, N, Q, W, and R lines bypassed the station for a while.
Photograph by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/intexp7/16492944099/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bzumba</a> / Flickr
A fire broke out in the Union Square subway station on Tuesday morning, blanketing passengers with smoke.
A NYC Transit spokesperson says that the fire was caused by debris on the tracks. Firefighters responded to a call about a track fire at 6:44 a.m., and the NYPD's Transit division also noted there was apparently a "sound of an explosion" as the third rail ignited.
#UnionSquare #subway station now pic.twitter.com/3FSCQxA5km
— emilio paschetto (@EmilioPaschetto) April 9, 2019
@MTA what’s going on at the Union Square station? pic.twitter.com/MdLC8v8nTD
— Nadine Kamposoulis (@njade2000) April 9, 2019
#NewYork subawy #fire? In # pic.twitter.com/hTHvWT3O5H
— emilio paschetto (@EmilioPaschetto) April 9, 2019
After reports of the sound of an explosion at 14th St Union Square station, we’ve confirmed there was an electrical issue and are investigating further. A smoke condition is clearing after a small 3rd rail fire was extinguished- Expect delays as NYCT restores svc pic.twitter.com/ekyV9uQlTc
— NYPD Transit (@NYPDTransit) April 9, 2019
You should be moving shortly, we had a situation with smoke caused by a possible track fire at that station. FDNY is on the scene and we had trains bypassing that station but we are in the midst of resuming regular service. ^SL
— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) April 9, 2019
We apologize for the long wait. There was a track fire at 14 St-Union Sq that severely disrupted 4/5/6 service. The fire has been extinguished and service has resumed. Take care, and have a nice day.^JLP
— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) April 9, 2019
Trains along the 4, 5, and 6 were held while L, N, Q, W, and R trains bypassed the station for a while. Service has been restored, but delays remain on the 4, 5, and 6 lines. Also, this isn't helping:
Southbound 4, 5 and 6 trains have resumed with delays after a train's brakes were activated at 59 St.
— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) April 9, 2019
Track fires are one of the top causes of subway delays across the transit system. The MTA has introduced high-powered vacuum trains to remove more trash and debris on tracks, but somehow this still bears repeating: don't throw your garbage onto the tracks.
