PATH Train Fire Sparks Commuter Chaos at Newport Station!
Chaos on PATH Train as fire forces evacuation
A fire erupted beneath an eastbound Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) train at Newport Station in Jersey City, New Jersey, around 6:19 AM on Monday, transforming a routine morning commute into a harrowing ordeal. Thick smoke filled a train car, prompting a frantic evacuation as passengers scrambled to safety, with 13 treated for smoke inhalation, nine of whom were hospitalized for further evaluation, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
A 30-second video posted on X by user @JosephNikhilRe3 captured the chaos, showing dense smoke flooding the carriage as passengers shouted, “Open the door!” and “Move!” before disembarking. The footage revealed bright orange flames leaping from the rails, nearly reaching the top of the train car. The fire, whose cause remains under investigation, led to the suspension of two critical PATH lines—Journal Square to 33rd Street and Hoboken to World Trade Center—disrupting the daily commute for thousands of the system’s 165,000 average daily riders.
Emergency responders, including Jersey City Fire Department crews, swarmed the scene, with aerial footage showing fire trucks surrounding the station. The Port Authority coordinated with NJ Transit, which cross-honored PATH tickets at Hoboken, Newark, and New York Penn Station, while Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and NY Waterway ferries also accommodated stranded passengers. Service on the Hoboken to 33rd Street and Newark to World Trade Center lines resumed by 8:30 AM, but delays persisted.
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The incident, occurring during peak rush hour, underscores vulnerabilities in the region’s aging transit infrastructure. Newport Station, once a quiet stop, has become a bustling hub amid Jersey City’s waterfront revival, amplifying the impact of such disruptions. Recent PATH system upgrades, including new CBTC signaling, have aimed to improve reliability, but Monday’s fire highlights ongoing challenges. The Port Authority has pledged a thorough investigation, with preliminary reports suggesting a possible electrical or mechanical fault beneath the train.
Commuters expressed frustration on social media, with some praising the rapid response of emergency teams. “It was terrifying, but everyone worked together to get out,” one passenger posted on X. As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of urban transit systems under pressure.
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