SEPTA train erupts in flames in Pennsylvania, 350 passengers evacuated

A Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) train carrying 350 passengers caught fire near Crum Lynne Station in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, on Thursday evening, forcing an urgent evacuation. The incident occurred around 6:15 pm (local time), shortly after the train departed from Philadelphia, with passengers reporting thick smoke and a strong sulfur-like smell.

According to Fox News, passenger Dnasia Buckner recalled the tense moments, stating, “As people were walking by, they said the train’s on fire, but the conductors aren’t saying anything.”Initially, passengers attempted to move to different sections of the train, but as the smoke thickened, conductors ordered everyone to evacuate immediately.

Firefighters also arrived in response to the outbreak and successfully were able to prevent further destruction because of it before it was put out. The SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch explained the incident happened and that very rapid action on behalf of the crews operating the train made this to be a safe outcome.

🚨#BREAKING: A SEPTA train carrying 350 passengers burst into flames catching fire prompting evacuations⁰⁰📌#RidleyPark | #Pennsylvania⁰⁰Currently, numerous firefighters are responding to a SEPTA train fire in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, located 21 minutes or 16 miles from… pic.twitter.com/F2s7tyjHGe

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) February 7, 2025

Officials have not clearly stated the reasons for the breakout of fire as yet, although Busch added that it happened under the train and spread subsequently.

The fire caused major disruptions along the Northeast Corridor, temporarily halting Amtrak services and SEPTA’s Wilmington line. In response, shuttle buses were provided to assist stranded passengers. However, CBS Philadelphia reported that full train services were restored later that night.

This is the third transportation disaster in the US this week as a fire breaks out on a SEPTA train, razing its passenger cars in Jamaica, Queens. This follows a mid-air collision in Washington DC and a Medevac Learjet crash in Philadelphia. According to The Mirror, while the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates both aviation accidents, it is still unknown whether it will probe the SEPTA train fire.