Passengers Forced To Smash Windows And Jump Out Of Train After It Catches Fire

Footage of the incident shows people scrambling to get off the train, while one woman can be heard saying: “I’m scared.”

The train, which has been in service since the 1980s, had around 200 passengers onboard during the incident. 

After seeing the fire, commuters were seen smashing the windows and squeezing themselves out before having to walk along the tracks to safety. 

One passenger was forced to jump into the Mystic River to escape the flames. She was later rescued by crews and brought to safety.

"I was very scared for all of us. We had no idea what was happening. It was like pandemonium,” she said. 

"I think I'm safer in the water right now than walking down the tracks."

According to Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) General Manager Steve, the fire started after a piece of metal on the bottom of the train came loose and hit the electrified rail below. 

Poftak has since apologised for the incident: "Obviously this is a frightening incident and not the kind of service we want to offer to our customers. I want to offer my apologies to those who were on that train, who had to experience that. I also want to offer my apologies to the folks who were inconvenienced by the diversion of service that we had to put in place following that incident."

Thankfully, there have been no reported injuries from the incident. 

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker called the Orange Line MBTA train fire a ‘colossal failure’ during a press conference yesterday afternoon. 

"Obviously, today is just a colossal failure," Baker said. "This stuff is completely unacceptable, and I'm glad the [Federal Transit Administration] will be part of the investigation and follow-up. And we will make sure to do whatever it is that they ask us to do to respond to this."

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