OVER 100 firefighters have rushed to Grand Central after fire and smoke filled the station, halting all trains.
In New York City, trains have stopped running, roads have been closed, and emergency services are on site following the observation of dense smoke at the train station.
The disruption has unfolded near Grand Central Place in Midtown Manhattan, officials said.
The New York City Fire Department confirmed to The US Sun it had received the first report of smoke at 8:08 am.
Dozens of firefighters rushed to the scene to control the smoke pouring out of the tunnel.
Authorities have stated that the smoke emanated from an electrical fire, with subsequent verification that the fire originated in the transformer room within the station.
During a briefing, FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker announced that four individuals were injured, comprising three firefighters and one non-firefighter.
The civilian, who sustained minor injuries, was transported to Bellevue Hospital.
Two of the injured firefighters were transported to Lenox Hill.
Tucker said crews faced “zero visibility” as they searched through thick smoke for the flames.
“There was a significant amount of fire in the room where the fire started,” he said during a press update.
60 firefighters responded to the emergency initially, according to officials.
The response escalated quickly when the situation worsened inside the tunnel.
By 10:16 am, a second alarm had been transmitted, bringing the total to more than 100 emergency responders at the scene, both firefighters and EMS.
Authorities have warned travelers to avoid the area and brace for major delays.
FDNY said to “expect traffic delays, road closures, mass transit disruptions & emergency personnel” around the station and instructed people to use alternate routes if they can.
“Use alternate routes,” they added.
Train Lines Affected
- Babylon
- City Terminal Zone
- Hempstead
- Far Rockaway
- Port Jefferson
- Port Washington
- Ronkonkoma
- West Hemptead
Train lines across the Long Island Rail Road, and all of its commuters, were hit hard by the emergency response.
Port Washington Branch service into Grand Central was suspended due to the fire activity, the MTA said.
Other lines saw westbound trains canceled at Jamaica Station or rerouted to Penn Station or Atlantic Terminal.
“Service in and out of Grand Central has been suspended,” the MTA confirmed.
According to the LIRR, eight branches were dealing with suspensions or reroutes as of 11 am.
There are reroutes and cancellations on the Babylon Branch due to ongoing fire department activity at Grand Central.
Subway lines began cross-honoring LIRR fares to ease the morning rush.
By 11 am, firefighters were still working at the scene, according to FDNY.
As of 12 pm, Tucker confirmed that FDNY had located the fire and it was now out, and they were “turning it back over to the Long Island Railroad.”
Emergency crews remained at the scene as MTA teams worked to repair damage and restore service.
FDNY confirmed to The US Sun that fire marshals were investigating the cause of the fire.
