(The Associated Press circulated the following article on May 13.)
KEARNY, N.J. — A fast-moving fire damaged a railroad bridge in northern New Jersey Thursday night, disrupting service for thousands of commuters and intercity travelers.
The fire started about 7:30 p.m. in wood pilings beneath Amtrak’s Portal drawbridge across the Hackensack River between Kearny and Secaucus. It burned fiercely for more than two hours, engulfing a bridge support pier, as fire crews battled the flames from the tracks above and from boats in the water.
The bridge’s remote location in the New Jersey Meadowlands made access difficult.
No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire was not immediately determined.
Amtrak said it planned to operate most trains between New York City and Washington, however the railroad cautioned riders to expect delays.
NJ Transit ran Midtown Direct service to Hoboken and canceled 13 Morris & Essex and 10 Montclair-Boonton line trains. There was no service to Newark or New York from Secaucus Junction.
NJ Transit was cross-honoring rail tickets on its bus lines to assist commuters, and the PATH commuter rail line, which connects Newark and New York along a different route, was also honoring NJ Transit and Amtrak tickets.
About 42,500 people use NJ Transit trains to travel to and from Manhattan during rush hour each weekday.