PAOLI, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A fire broke out on a SEPTA Regional Rail train at Paoli Station late Tuesday night, sending one crew member to the hospital.
Around 11 p.m., workers on an outbound Paoli/Thorndale Line train smelled smoke and evacuated. The rear train car had become fully engulfed in flames, SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said.
There were no passengers on board.
There was also a loud explosion, according to Paoli Fire Company Chief Jay Wustner.
“Units arrived to find the rear two cars of a westbound SEPTA Regional Rail line on fire. We made contact with the conductor and the engineer who advised us all occupants were out and accounted for,” Wustner said.
The conductor was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and was in good condition, SEPTA said. A firefighter sustained a minor injury but did not need further treatment.
Crews battled the fire for a few hours before it was contained. The two rear train cars had extensive damage and were towed away to a rail yard. The tracks and overhead wires were not damaged. After overnight inspections were completed, officials gave the all-clear to resume operations around 4 a.m., SEPTA said.
The Chester County Fire Marshal’s Office and SEPTA are investigating the cause of the fire. The National Transportation Safety Board was notified as well.