L Train Resumes Service With Extensive Delays Following Fire, Officials Say

BROOKLYN — The L train was suspended between Brooklyn and Manhattan on Thursday for about eight hours because a small fire broke out in an underground MTA vault, FDNY officials said. 

The fire began at 9:20 a.m. and the FDNY brought it under control about 10:40 a.m., but the MTA suspended service between the boroughs until 5 p.m. as their engineers investigated, officials said.

#ServiceAlert: b/d, L trains are running with extensive delays, due to earlier FDNY activity at Bedford Av. Allow additional travel time.

— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) October 6, 2016

 

@gregmocker #Smoke in the #Ltrain #EastRiver #tunnel. It has spread to #Bedford Av #subway #train #station.

A video posted by Dean迪安 (@wildgoldean) on Oct 6, 2016 at 6:40am PDT

A firefighter was seriously hurt, but listed in stable condition at Beth Israel, an FDNY spokesman said.

A civilian was also treated for minor injuries, officials said. 

Those trying to get back to Brooklyn from Manhattan were stuck trying to shell out for a cab or crowd onto other subway lines.

"This is ridiculous. I'm already tired from coming from the hospital," said Liz Rivera, 47, who had visited the hospital after feeling sick Thursday morning.

Caroline Deason, 29, resorted to a cab for her ride back to Brooklyn.

"This is costing me $20. It's very frustrating," Deason said.

"You never get used to getting annoyed with the train," she added.

Commuters posted photos on social media of crowds fleeing station exits as they filled with smoke.

Tons of smoke in the tunnel between Bedford and 1st ave. Everyone just got out. pic.twitter.com/o3fDNJP9JH

— Dennis Plucinik (@dennisplucinik) October 6, 2016

L Train Down pic.twitter.com/LvJYxtRHEj

— Hectah (@hectah) October 6, 2016

 

@gregmocker #Smoke coming out from the #grates at #Ltrain's #Bedford Av #subway #train #station, at Driggs Av & N7 St in #williamsburg #brooklyn #nyc due to smoke from the #EastRiver #tunnel

A video posted by Dean迪安 (@wildgoldean) on Oct 6, 2016 at 6:49am PDT

Others took to social media to simply vent their frustration.

The L train will actually be the end of me

— Paolo Ragusa (@Paolo_Ragusa) October 6, 2016

The l train is a parody of its self at this point

— William Hart (@William_hart) October 6, 2016

last night the L train shut down at all stops for like an hour and this morning it's literally on fire

— Al-hex Scary (@Yelix) October 6, 2016

lol L train was full of smoke HAPPY THURSDAY EVERYONE #mta @Gothamist pic.twitter.com/EtCkr0pghL

— Alex Lorenz (@AlexLorenz) October 6, 2016

Extensive delays are expected on the L train during rush hour, the MTA said.