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Penn Station Fire Causes Major Commuter Chaos: What LIRR, Amtrak and NJ Transit Riders Need to Know
Smoke conditions were reported inside Penn Station just after 11:20 a.m. Thursday (local time), prompting a major emergency response. The FDNY confirmed the cause was a feeder cable fire on the tracks along 31st Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. More than 80 fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene.
The good news: no injuries were reported. According to a report from ABC News, an Amtrak official confirmed the fire was out by approximately 1:15 p.m., and Northeast Corridor service resumed shortly after, around 1:30 p.m. However, the ripple effects on the commute are expected to linger well into the evening, with delays of up to an hour anticipated due to congestion backed up from the disruption.
How LIRR Service Was Affected
The Long Island Rail Road took the biggest hit. Service between Jamaica and Penn Station was temporarily suspended, with all westbound trains terminating at Jamaica rather than continuing into the city.
Here is a breakdown of what happened to individual branches:
Babylon and Huntington trains heading to Penn Station were diverted to Grand Central Madison instead. The Ronkonkoma and Port Washington trains were cancelled outright. The Far Rockaway and Long Beach lines were experiencing delays.
Riders are encouraged to check the MTA’s website for real-time updates as the situation continues to evolve throughout the afternoon.
Subway Cross-Honoring in Effect
To help stranded commuters get around, the subway system is cross-honoring LIRR tickets in the City Terminal Zone. That means LIRR ticket holders can use their tickets on the following subway lines and stations at no additional cost:
Penn Station, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer on the E line, Grand Central on the 4, 5, 6, and 7 lines, and Woodside on the 7 line.
NJ Transit Also Impacted
NJ Transit has also been affected, though in a more limited way. The agency diverted its Midtown Direct trains as a precautionary measure to reduce the volume of trains entering Penn Station. Officials clarified the diversion was a response to fire department activity at the station rather than to the fire itself.
What to Expect for the Rest of the Day
Even though the fire is out and Amtrak service has resumed, Thursday’s afternoon and evening commute is going to be rough for anyone passing through Penn Station. Delays of up to an hour are expected to persist as the backlog of trains clears. Commuters are advised to build extra time into their travel plans, check their carrier’s app or website before heading out, and consider alternate routes where possible.
