(The Associated Press distributed the following article on February 4.)
NEW YORK — Smoke from a small fire in a commuter rail tunnel under the East River caused several cancellations and delays Wednesday at Pennsylvania Station.
No injuries were reported, and the fire was put out within an hour, fire department spokesman Paul Iannizzotto said.
The fire started on railroad ties on the tracks, Iannizzotto said. Sparks from passing trains probably caused the wooden ties to catch fire, he said.
Smoke filled the tunnel, causing cancellations and delays of up to 30 minutes for thousands of commuters, said Hector Garcia, a spokesman for the Long Island Rail Road.