Astor Place Subway Fire Injures 14 Workers and Firefighters

USA: An Astor Place subway fire injured 14 MTA workers and firefighters after a four-car vacuum train ignited below Manhattan early Tuesday, disrupting Lexington Avenue Line service.

Vacuum train burns below Astor Place

The fire began shortly before 2:15 a.m. on August 4 while the maintenance train was operating on the southbound express track at Astor Place station. Vacuum trains collect litter, steel dust and other debris from the track bed.

The initial report said the FDNY dispatched 46 units to the second-alarm fire. Crews encountered heavy smoke at street and platform level and worked inside the four-car train, including its filter bay. Passengers on a northbound train that entered the station were evacuated without reported injuries.

Initial information said six MTA workers and five firefighters were hospitalized, while another MTA worker declined treatment at the scene. Updated reporting later said seven MTA workers were hospitalized with minor injuries, another injured worker declined treatment, and six firefighters were hospitalized in stable condition. The cause remained under investigation.

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Lexington Avenue Line service resumes

During the emergency response, 4 and 6 train service was suspended between Grand Central–42 St and Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall in both directions. An official city alert warned of delays and service changes near Astor Place.

Passengers were initially advised to use M15, M102 or M103 buses, or N, Q and R trains. Service on the 4, 5 and 6 lines was restored in time for the morning commute, although residual delays continued while trains were repositioned.

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