Metro trains are back in service Wednesday morning after a fire on an unoccupied train suspended Red Line service between Takoma and Forest Glen during rush hour Tuesday evening.
The flames, visible on security camera footage from the Silver Spring Transit Center and on passengers' cell phone video, frightened passengers and led to a commuting nightmare for Tuesday afternoon's rush hour.
The passengers on the train had been evacuated at Takoma Park station, before the flames were visible.
But some witnesses nearby reported that they heard three loud booms from the train.
"Very loud," said witness Dorsey Evans. "And then all of a sudden I saw the flames coming from underneath the Metro car."
Fire officials said they suspect the problem was a malfunctioning collector shoe, a piece of equipment that feeds power from the third rail.
"I just saw people running out," said witness Elizabeth Fisher. "They looked scared. I asked a passenger what happened, and he said, 'All we know is it sounded like an explosion.'"
The emergency interrupted service between Takoma and Forest Glen. It was restored by 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, but access to the Silver Spring station was limited, with passengers allowed only to exit at the station, for almost two more hours.
By 9:20 p.m., two-track service between Takoma and Forest Glen was restored, and riders could again enter the system at the Silver Spring station.
Traffic around the station also was affected due to the response from Montgomery County Fire. Colesville Road was blocked.
"You never know what you can expect with the Red Line," one passenger said.
"Not entirely happy with Metro," said passenger Sean Griffin. "I got charged for the experience of not getting where I was going, so that did not make me happy."
Montgomery County Assistant Fire Chief Scott Graham said collector shoes have been known to catch fire. The fire did not spread inside any railcars, and firefighters extinguished the fire with a dry chemical, Graham said.
Metro officials did not tell News4 how often fires happen on trains, tracks or in stations. But News4 has reported on at least 10 incidents of smoke or fire on Metro trains or tracks, reported Shomari Stone.
"I would say incidents like tonight's are extremely rare," said Caroline Lukas. "I do know it was one of our oldest cars that was involved in the situation this evening."
A smoking collector shoe that created smoke on the Green Line in January, and part of the track was mistakenly powered down. Passengers on two trains under the Anacostia River evacuated and walked back to Metro stations.
Photo Credit: NBCWashington.com