MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) — A fire on the tracks in one of the East River tunnels at Penn Station caused major disruptions for commuters on Thursday, and could linger into the Friday morning rush.
Crews responded to a call of fire on the tracks on 31st Street between 7th and 8th avenues just before 11:30 a.m.
Smoke was seen among riders on a Long Island Railroad train after an electrical fire on a third rail on the tracks inside one of the East River tunnels owned by Amtrak, abruptly stopping all inbound trains into Penn Station, and making for a potentially chaotic and lengthy evening commute.
“I noticed there were no trains on the board and now this fire, this is going to be another problem,” said Rich Lewis, a rider from Deer Park.
The fire started in a tunnel that is being worked on by Amtrak for repairs from Superstorm Sandy, linking Penn Station to Jamaica.
A frustrated MTA spokesperson released a statement saying, “Amtrak equipment. Amtrak tunnel. Amtrak tracks. LIRR riders once again are inconvenienced by this Amtrak situation.”
Tracks 15 though 21, at the north end of Penn Station, saw smoke. Power was cut off on those tracks as firefighters secured the blaze.
The words “no trains boarding on any tracks” was plastered all afternoon throughout Penn Station.
Many learned of the news after getting off of their subway stop.
“I just got here, went on the phone and checked the app and it said the fire is going on. I didn’t even know what’s going on here,” said Joseph D’Antona, a rider from Lindenhurst.
Follow the latest service updates below:
LIRR service
LIRR service to and from Penn Station remains suspended while Amtrak crews continue to repair damage from a fire near the terminal.
Most trains Thursday night are diverted to and from Grand Central.
The MTA said there may be Friday morning rush hour delays, reroutes, and cancellations, and are asking commuters to check their train’s status in the morning.
The subway is cross-honoring LIRR tickets:
NJ Transit service
Following earlier fire department activity east of Penn Station New York, NJ Transit rail service is operating on or close to schedule, with residual delays to trains already enroute, into and out of Penn Station New York.
NJ Transit Midtown Direct service continues to be diverted into Hoboken Terminal. NJ Transit rail tickets and passes are being cross honored by NJ Transit and private carrier bus and PATH at Newark Penn Station, Hoboken and 33rd Street, New York.
Amtrak service
Amtrak temporarily suspended service into Penn Station but train service resumed around 1:30 p.m. However, delays of up to an hour should be expected for the rest of the day due to congestion.
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