JERSEY CITY, NJ – A fire broke out beneath a Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) train during Monday morning rush hour, forcing the evacuation of panicked passengers at Newport Station and triggering major service disruptions for thousands of commuters.
Fire Breaks Out at 6:15 AM, Causes Panic
According to Port Authority officials, the incident occurred around 6:15 a.m. on an eastbound train near Newport Station. Thick smoke quickly filled the train car, prompting urgent evacuation efforts.
Emergency responders arrived within minutes, surrounding the scene with fire engines and ambulances. Several passengers were treated on-site for smoke inhalation, though no serious injuries were reported.
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Social Media Captures Alarming Footage
A now-viral video captured by a passenger showed the terrifying moment smoke engulfed a PATH train car as passengers attempted to pry open the doors.
“Open the door!” and “Easy, easy,” passengers can be heard saying as they carefully disembarked. Seconds later, bright orange flames erupted from beneath the train, rising to the height of the car itself.
Another commuter on X (formerly Twitter) wrote:
“This was not just smoke. The car was literally in flames.” Others described hearing a “loud explosion” just before the fire broke out.
A PATH train fire suspended service between New Jersey and New York City on Monday morning, with smoke filling Newport Station in Jersey City as passengers evacuated. Several people were being treated for smoke inhalation, Port Authority said. https://t.co/muOm0U1TqMpic.twitter.com/f50SMsSRvx
The fire caused immediate service suspensions on major PATH lines:
Journal Square to 33rd Street: Suspended
Hoboken to World Trade Center: Suspended
Hoboken to 33rd Street: Service resumed
To ease commuter disruption, NJ Transit buses (#87 and #126) and NY Waterway ferries at Hoboken, Brookfield Place, and Midtown terminals began cross-honoring PATH tickets.
Cause Under Investigation
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to Port Authority officials. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage, mechanical systems, and passenger reports as part of the inquiry.
Official Response and Ongoing Updates
The Port Authority has not yet provided a timeline for full service restoration. A spokesperson stated:
“We’re grateful for the quick response of emergency services and will ensure the safety of all passengers before resuming full operations.”
