Thick smoke billows from Manhattan subway, 18 people injured, train hits track debris, fire breaks out

Eighteen people were treated for smoke along the No. 1 train at Washington Heights, but no one was seriously injured. The New York City Fire Department said the incident occurred at 12:30 p.m. at 191st Street and St. Nicholas Avenue when a subway train hit track debris and came into contact with the third rail, causing a small fire and a lot of smoke. Live video from the No. 1 train platform at 191st Street showed thick brown smoke coming out of the car, and subway passengers could be heard coughing as they walked to the street. A famous long tunnel from the 191st Street station to the street was also filled with smoke. Authorities dispatched about 60 New York City firefighters and paramedics to the scene. According to fire and transportation officials, 18 people were slightly injured in the incident, 16 of whom needed to be hospitalized, and two refused medical treatment. As of the evening of the 25th, the condition of the hospitalized patients was unknown. Due to the smoke problem, the No. 1 train was suspended between 215th Street and 145th Street, but it has since returned to normal, and authorities said the situation was under control in about an hour. Workers have replaced the tracks damaged by the fire, but train service in both directions has been delayed. Workers removed the train that hit the debris from the station and sent it to the depot for inspection to find out the cause of the problem. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said that track measurement vehicles are usually used to continuously check the tracks for damage or debris. Rollers on the carriages can also detect cracks in the tracks, and overhead cameras also help find debris or anything unusual. If any emergency is found, it will be reported to the track team for corrective measures. Sources said the MTA is still trying to find out whether the debris fell from the train or fell from the ceiling when the train entered or exited. The New York City Fire Department said the incident did not appear to involve criminal behavior. Commuter Sosa said, “I was riding the train like normal, and suddenly there was smoke. The worst thing was the door. It took the train driver a long time to open the door. The situation was very scary at the time. People were scared and ran around. The door was blocked. We tried to open the door, but fortunately we succeeded in the end. Everyone ran away in a hurry and felt very scared.”