Commuters evacuated a Massachusetts train that was on fire as it crossed the Mystic River crossing at Somerville on Thursday (July 21), with one passenger jumping off the bridge into the river below.
Some passengers climbed out through a window to evacuate. Most used emergency exits in carriages. About 200 passengers evacuated the train. No injuries were reported.
The passenger who jumped into the river safely swam to shore and appeared unscathed after her unexpected morning plunge into the Mystic River, just north of Boston, the Somerville, Massachusetts Fire Department told Reuters.
The Orange Line train, operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, was traveling south on the rail bridge when the fire broke out, forcing it to a stop.
According to MBTA reports, the fire started when a metal seal under one of the train cars came loose and made contact with the third rail, which provides electric power to the cars. It is unclear how the seal came loose.
Power was cut soon after the train stopped so that the third rail would not endanger anyone, the MBTA said.
The MBTA has had a number of safety incidents in recent years, including a collision last month.
