A fire erupted under an eastbound PATH train at Newport station, sending passengers fleeing from smoke-filled cars and forcing an evacuation. The incident, which began at 6:19 a.m., sparked panic as numerous passengers attempted to exit the train, with one passenger urgently shouting, ‘Move, move, move!’ The flames beneath the car spewed out from under the train on the track, prompting an immediate response from emergency services.
The blaze led to the suspension of the Hoboken-WTC and JSQ-33rd Street lines, causing significant disruptions for commuters reliant on these routes. While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, the incident has drawn attention to the potential risks associated with subway systems, particularly in confined spaces where smoke can rapidly accumulate. Officials have since confirmed that several individuals were treated for smoke inhalation as a result of the event.
Despite the urgency of the situation, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has indicated that the incident is being treated as an emergency response and an investigation into the source of the fire is underway. As the situation unfolds, the incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by public transportation networks in ensuring passenger safety and minimizing the impact of such incidents on daily commuters.