ICYMI: Commuter Chaos—350 Passengers Evacuated as Train Catches Fire in Pennsylvania!
A packed SEPTA train burst into flames near a Pennsylvania station, forcing 350 passengers to flee as smoke and fire spread rapidly. 🌐 #News #RidleyParkPA #Pennsylvania #Accidents
RIDLEY PARK, PA – Panic gripped passengers Thursday night as flames consumed a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) commuter train, forcing a mass evacuation of hundreds. The train, packed with around 350 passengers, burst into flames while traveling from Philadelphia to Wilmington, Delaware. Smoke billowed into the sky, creating a terrifying scene near Crum Lynne Station in Ridley Park, Delaware County.
Passengers described scrambling to safety as conductors rushed to relocate them before the situation escalated. The cause of the blaze remains a mystery, but officials say the quick response prevented what could have been a far worse disaster.
Train Erupts in Flames
The SEPTA train caught fire around 6 p.m. Thursday, transforming what should have been a routine commute into chaos.
One of the train’s six cars became fully engulfed in flames as it neared Crum Lynne Station, sending thick smoke into the evening sky.
Videos shared on Facebook captured the intense scene—flames consuming the train car while smoke poured into the air.
Passengers initially moved to rear cars after noticing smoke, but the fire’s rapid spread led to a full evacuation.
Passengers Describe Frantic Evacuation
“We had to get up and relocate to another car and then we had to get up and relocate again, and that’s when I started to see smoke coming from the side of the train,” Dnasia Buckner, one of the passengers, said.
Conductors and crew wasted no time ensuring everyone made it off the train safely. SEPTA’s Director of Media Relations, Andrew Busch, explained just how critical their fast actions were.
“It was discovered that the first car of the train was engulfed in flames, but by that time passengers fortunately had been evacuated,” Busch told reporters.
No Injuries Amid a Dangerous Situation
Despite the frightening scene, there were no injuries. Shuttle buses were quickly dispatched to transport the stranded passengers.
Busch described the emergency response as swift and effective.
“The pictures really tell the story of how serious this situation was, and fortunately we have an outcome where we don’t have any serious injuries, which is pretty incredible, considering what we’ve seen,” he said.
“Our crew acted quickly. They’re well-trained, their training kicked in, they did exactly what they were supposed to in terms of getting people off of the train safely.”
Services Resume as Investigation Begins
Firefighters extinguished the blaze, and by Thursday night, SEPTA services between Philadelphia and Wilmington resumed. Amtrak, which owns the tracks, warned of possible residual delays.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Officials are working to determine whether it started on the train or within the track system itself.
RELATED TOPICS: Accidents and Rescues | Delaware | Pennsylvania | Train Travel
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