More than 320 people aboard an Ottawa-bound VIA Rail train had their ride cut short after the train’s engine caught fire in Richmond Sunday night.
Ottawa police said yesterday that at 8:30 p.m., a VIA train had an engine fire in the area of McBean and Ottawa streets.
Ottawa firefighters contained the fire and paramedics treated 13 passengers at the scene for minor injuries — including joint injuries, allergic reactions, diabetes, anxiety and minor abrasions from hiking out to the road.
The two engineers that were in the cab of the locomotive at the time of the engine fire suffered minor smoke inhalation injuries. Ottawa paramedics said both engineers assisted with the evacuation of the all of the passengers before seeking aid for themselves. The two men, 47 and 49, were treated at the scene and transported to hospital for further assessment. They are both in stable condition.
The passengers aboard the train were disembarked and subsequently transported to Ottawa by bus.
