Several Edmonton communters got more than they bargained for during the Friday morning commute when the LRT car they were riding on caught fire.
The fire began on the top of a train that was running close to Belvedere Station in a tunnel near 66 Street.
The train stopped after the emergency lever was pulled and about 100 people got off safely including the six to eight people who were in the burning car.
"Everyone panicked and they ran to opposite ends because the fire was in the middle." passenger Raj Aujla told Global News. "I grabbed a fire extinguisher and put the fire out."
A few people had to be treated for smoke inhalation said transit spokesperson Brenda Dickson and one person was taken to hospital.
Dickson said trains should be up and running again before the noon.
One of the older model trains in the fleet was affected according to Dickson. The fire was reportedly caused by an electrical malfunction. An overhead line apparently came down and hit the train, causing the train to short circuit. Edmonton Transit officials say this is the first time something like that has ever happened.
A contingency plan was in place to ensure that riders got to their destinations, including busses running to LRT stops to keep passengers moving.
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