SECAUCUS, NJ – A forest fire in Secaucus caused major problems for NJ Transit commuters at Penn Station on Thursday.
The fire broke out around Mile Marker 111, near the Alexander Hamilton Service Area, not far from the eastern spur of the NJ Turnpike near 16/18E. Secaucus police said the fire was in the swamp area.
Firefighters battled the brush fire from the Turnpike and nearby NJ Transit tracks and were able to bring it under control. But the impact on evening traffic lingered. Traffic on the toll road was reduced to one lane northbound at one point.
So far nothing is known about the cause of the fire, but it is the way our region is coping with a prolonged period of sweltering heat.
At the height of the fire, smoke could be seen rising more than 1,000 feet into the air.
Delays at Penn Station are leaving commuters stuck
NJ Transit service to and from New York Penn Station was suspended for more than an hour due to the fire and overhead wire issues. It has since been restored, but major delays remained, frustrating commuters.
Amtrak has suspended Northeast Corridor service between New Haven and Philadelphia, but it was restored at 5:30 p.m. Riders were told to expect delays.
The Amtrak and NJ Transit trains appeared to be running on time Friday morning.
On Thursday, commuters at Penn Station in New York City were frustrated. It was full of confused commuters heading into the evening rush hour. They rushed to find alternative ways home.
“We’re going back home, back to New Jersey in Livingston, maybe we should take the PATH. Frustrating, yes,” said commuter Mia Saigal.
‘We can’t do anything about it. It’s either this or a $500 Uber ride. We thought we’d just wait it out like everyone else,” said another commuter.
It is not the first time this week that the trains have been shut down. On Tuesday, overhead lines and a disabled train left commuters stranded. Riders who spoke to CBS New York say they hope this isn’t any indication of what’s to come this summer.
CBS New York has reached out to the Department of Transportation, which oversees Amtrak, for comment but has not yet heard back.
