Boston

MBTA Service Temporarily Suspended After Fire on Train Causes Power Issue

A small fire atop an MBTA train caused a power issue that shut down service on part of the Green Line for about four hours on Wednesday.

Service was suspended around 1:20 p.m. on the Green Line between Government Center and Arlington Station due to a power problem at Boylston Station. According to Boston Fire, that problem was the result of a small fire on top of a trolley car, part of a three-car train between the Boylston and Arlington stops.

MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said a damaged pantograph on top of the trolley impacted the overhead wire from which it collects power, knocking out electrical service to that part of the line.

Photos shared on social media showed riders being forced to walk on the tracks. But because there is no third rail, they were able to walk out of the tunnel safely after the incident, fire officials said.

One or two people suffered minor injuries, according to fire officials. Boston EMS confirmed that it was transporting one patient to a hospital.

Pesaturo, however, said there were no injuries.

Trolley service resumed around 4:45 p.m. Boston fire has cleared from the scene and the MBTA is now in control of the power supply.

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