SOMERVILLE, Mass. — An MBTA Orange Line rapid-transit train caught fire on a bridge Thursday morning, reportedly leading passengers to kick out windows to escape and one person to jump into the river below.
WCVB-TV reports the incident happened prior to 7 a.m. on a bridge over the Mystic River in Somerville. Images show fire damage on the lead car of the train near the cab. A passenger told the station that another passsenger panicked and jumped into the river, but was rescued by first responders.
MBTA spokesman Joe Pasaturo said “smoke was observed” as the train approached Assembly station in Somerville. “Power was turned off between Wellington and Assembly and the Somerville Fire Department responded. All passengers exited the train.”
The MBTA says on its website that shuttle buses are replacing Orange Line trains between the Oak Grove and Community College stations “due to a disabled train.”
— This is a developing story. Watch Trains News Wire for additional information.
What’s up with The “T”?
Photo on boston.com shows this is an actual fire, not just smoke.
Looks like someone let the smoke out of one of the traction motors. Motors don’t work when you let the smoke out.