Fire in Hudson Tunnel Disrupts NYC Commuter Services

A fire in an Amtrak contractor maintenance vehicle near New York City’s Penn Station injured five people and caused significant disruptions to commuter services on Friday morning, according to multiple reports. The blaze, which occurred in one of the Hudson River tunnels, resulted in service suspensions for NJ Transit and Amtrak, with brief impacts on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).

The fire was reported just after 1:25 a.m., escalating to a second alarm response nearly an hour later. The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) confirmed that over 140 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to the scene, as reported by Fox News. Two people were seriously injured and transported to Bellevue Hospital, while three others refused medical attention.

The fire was brought under control by 6 a.m., but the cause remains under investigation. The blaze caused damage to overhead wires, prompting NJ Transit to suspend service between Newark Penn Station and Penn Station New York. Amtrak also suspended its service until at least noon, with lengthy delays expected for trains traveling north of New York.

Penn Station, which serves roughly 600,000 passengers daily via Amtrak, the New York subway system, NJ Transit, and LIRR, experienced significant commuter headaches. NJ Transit indicated that service impacts were expected to last through the morning rush hour. Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed gratitude for the quick response of firefighters and EMS personnel on social media.

A commuter on NJ Transit told ABC News it was 'frightening.' Someone yelled there was a fire on the track ... there was a very loud explosion that shook the train and caused the lights to go out. We didn't move for maybe 8 to 10 minutes.'

Monday brought another challenging morning commute for NJ Transit riders due to ongoing repairs from Friday's fire, according to CBS News. Delays of up to 30 minutes were reported in and out of Penn Station. Midtown Direct service was diverted to Hoboken, and NJ Transit rail tickets were being cross-honored by buses and at PATH stations at Hoboken, Newark Penn Station, and 33rd Street in New York City.

Officials criticized Amtrak for the incident, with MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber stating it was 'unacceptable' and calling for improvements to prevent further disruptions. Governor Kathy Hochul also expressed dissatisfaction on social media, stating that riders deserve better than a summer of delays and excuses. An Amtrak official maintained that the infrastructure is safe.