A smoke incident on the 1 subway line in Washington Heights led to 18 people receiving treatment on Tuesday afternoon, according to officials. Thankfully, no one sustained serious injuries.
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) responded to the scene at 191st Street and St. Nicholas Avenue just after 12:30 p.m., following reports of thick smoke inside the subway station.
What Happened?
Officials stated that a subway train struck debris on the tracks, which then made contact with the third rail, sparking a small fire and generating a significant amount of smoke.
- Incident Location: 191st Street Station, Washington Heights
- Train Involved: 1 Subway Line
- Cause: Train hitting debris on tracks, leading to fire and smoke
- Injuries: 18 treated (no serious injuries reported)
Eyewitness Accounts
Commuters at the station described chaotic scenes as smoke filled the platforms and tunnels.
Felix Sosa, a passenger on the train, recounted his experience:
“I was sitting on the train like normal, and then smoke started coming out. The worst part was the doors. The driver took so long to open them. It was very scary for us.”
Sosa also described passengers panicking, stating:
“People were running, scared. The door was blocked, and we tried to open it. Finally, the driver opened it, and we were lucky to get out.”
Emergency Response & Subway Service Disruptions
Approximately 60 FDNY and EMS personnel arrived at the scene to manage the situation and assist passengers.
Subway Service Impact:
- The 1 train was suspended between 215th Street and 145th Street due to the smoke.
- Service was restored after emergency crews moved the affected train to a yard for inspection.
Ongoing Investigation: What Caused the Debris?
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is still investigating where the debris came from:
- Did it fall from the ceiling above the tracks?
- Did it come from the train itself?
MTA Safety Measures
The MTA routinely inspects subway tracks for repairs and potential hazards using a track geometry car:
- Rollers detect cracks in the rails.
- High-level cameras scan for debris.
- Urgent issues are reported for corrective action.
Officials confirmed the incident does not appear to be criminal in nature.
