Service on SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line between 30th Street and Spring Garden stations has been restored after a transformer fire underground forced the Philadelphia-based transit authority to suspend service Wednesday.
SEPTA said the fire started just after 3 p.m. and caused a power outage from 30th Street to Spring Garden stations, which closed part of the El for hours. No injuries were reported. Riders should expect residual delays.
Service on SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line is suspended between the 30th Street and Spring Garden stations due to an underground fire.
CBS News Philadelphia
Chopper 3 was over Center City at Suburban Station, where a large first responder response was spotted Wednesday afternoon as smoke billowed from underground near the Clothespin Sculpture.Â
Shuttle buses that were operating at 30th Street and Spring Garden stations have since been canceled. The fire only impacted service on the El. Service on the Broad Street Line, Regional Rail and trolleys continued to run, but they bypassed City Hall.
The fire happened as thousands of people were heading home during rush hour in the city.
Henry Demyan
Henry Demyan works in the City Hall area and saw smoke coming from underground when he was heading home.
“I’ve kind of given up at this point. I’m going to take one of the bikeshares home, and I hope everyone is safe,” he said.
Many riders said the sudden shutdown left the city in a standstill.
“The city’s landlocked right now — there’s no trains. We’re waiting on buses. Ubers are 50, 70 dollars,” Bree Couture said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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