Updated at 6:11 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Afternoon and evening commutes were thrown into disarray following brush fires in North Philadelphia near train tracks that prompted Amtrak and SEPTA delays.
According to a Philadelphia Fire Department spokesperson, the fires started Wednesday afternoon around 1 p.m. with one at 2nd Street and Erie Avenue, and the other in the area of 12th Street and Glenwood Avenue, near train tracks. There were no reported injuries.
Hundreds of firefighters were dispatched to battle the blazes. They were able to get the Erie Avenue fire under control around 1:53 p.m., according to the department.
Amtrak had paused trains operating between Philadelphia and New York due to fire crews working near the tracks. Several SEPTA lines were also delayed owing to the fires as well as mechanical failure brought on by extreme heat and, later in the evening, damage from severe storms.
However, SEPTA's Trenton Regional Rail line, which was suspended in both directions due to the fires, had service restored shortly after 5 p.m.
Stay with KYW Newsradio for more on this developing story.
