Philadelphia, PA — February 7, 2025 – A fire on a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) train prompted the evacuation of approximately 450 passengers early Wednesday morning. The incident occurred on the R3 line, traveling through suburban Pennsylvania, and caused significant delays for commuters.
According to SEPTA officials, the fire broke out in the engine compartment of the train while it was en route from Philadelphia to the western suburbs. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest it may have been due to an electrical malfunction.
Emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene at the [location] station, where passengers were safely evacuated onto the platform. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries reported. “Our priority is always the safety of our passengers,” said SEPTA spokesperson. “We are working with local authorities to determine the exact cause of the fire and prevent future incidents.”
The fire caused a disruption in the morning commute, with several trains delayed for several hours as crews worked to clear the scene and assess the damage to the affected train. SEPTA has advised commuters to expect continued delays and to consider alternative transportation routes during the recovery efforts.
Fire crews were able to contain the flames before they spread, and the situation was fully resolved by mid-morning. Despite the disruption, all 450 passengers were able to leave the train safely.
SEPTA officials assured that they are reviewing safety protocols and will continue to cooperate with local fire departments and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as the investigation moves forward.
