CHELSEA — Nearly 140 firefighters helped extinguish a large predawn fire sparked by temporary lighting wires Tuesday at Penn Station's West End Concourse, officials said.
The area was still closed off hours later, disrupting the Long Island Rail Road's morning rush-hour commute, officials said.
The fire started about 2:20 a.m. and engulfed an underground construction shed at Eighth Avenue and West 33rd Street, near the forthcoming Moynihan Station, which is part of the Hudson Yards development project, an FDNY spokesman said.
The fire was accidentally sparked by temporary wires used to light up the construction site, the FDNY said Tuesday afternoon.
"There was heavy fire on arrival," FDNY Deputy Chief Robert Carroll said earlier in the day.
Smoke filled the street above the site and one passerby recorded a short video of flames leaping up from behind a construction fence.
About 138 firefighters finally brought the blaze under control about 5:20 a.m., according to the FDNY.
Two firefighters were treated for minor injuries at Bellevue Hospital Center, fire officials said.
The West End Concourse remained closed later Tuesday with three of nine LIRR platforms out of service after the fire, according to the MTA.
Some Manhattan-bound LIRR trains were diverted to Atlantic Terminal or Hunterspoint Avenue while others terminated early in Jamaica, officials said.
The MTA was cross-honoring fares between the LIRR and 2, 3, 7 and E trains, officials said.
Riders should check the MTA website for the latest updates.
