BOSTON (WHDH) - Commuters returned to their daily commutes on the MBTA Orange Line after an overheated motor sparked two fires on a train at Back Bay Station Wednesday night and forced passengers to escape.
The Boston Fire Department said the overheated motor caused a fire and firefighters also found a trash fire on the tracks. Both fires were extinguished. The MBTA say the train has been removed from service.
City Council President Michelle Wu rides the Orange Line at Back Bay during her daily commute. She said what happened is another example as to why the MBTA needs improvements.
“We really need to make sure that the millions of riders who need the T on a day to day basis get that service they deserve,” Wu said. She added that there has not been enough revenue or investment to maintain infrastructure and provide quality service.
Video from witnesses shows passengers frantically running through the station and breaking train windows to jump out onto the platform. A pastry chef told 7News she wrapped her chef’s knife in her scarf and used it to smash a window. Transit Police said the doors would not open because the train was not up against the platform.
MBTA officials say the station was not evacuated, but passengers at all Orange Line stations were stuck in their commutes because of major delays.
Fire officials said five people, including an MBTA Transit Police officer, were treated for smoke inhalation. Two were taken to the hospital.
The trains operated on Thursday morning as usual and the MBTA says it will conduct a full investigation into the incident.
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