Investigators said fuel spilled on a hot generator during a refueling was what caused the fire that snarled train service on the Metro-North tracks in East Harlem Tuesday night.
The fire caused some structural damage to a single steel beam and some nearby girders, prompting two tracks of the four on the viaduct to be closed and speed restrictions placed on the remaining as repairs continue, officials said. A temporary support structure will be created surrounding the damaged beam, until a more permanent fix can be put in place. Luckily, the flames did not cause any damage to the tracks, signals or third rail power systems.
Loud explosion and smoke around Park & 119th. Another gas explosion in Harlem? #Harlem #explosion pic.twitter.com/K0IGA5YTmV
— Miao Miao (@meggiemiao) May 17, 2016
Metro-North service is operating ona Saturday scheduleuntil further notice. Customers traveling into the city could transfer to the subway in the Bronx as a commute alternative. “We are confident there will be normal service by first thing Friday morning,” MTA CEO Tom Prendergasttold ABC 7. “We are working very hard to improve on that time.”
