Subway Smoke Incident in Washington Heights

A smoke condition on a 1 train in Washington Heights sent 18 people to the hospital on Tuesday. The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. near 191st Street and St. Nicholas Avenue.

According to the FDNY, a subway train collided with debris on the tracks, causing a small fire and releasing a significant amount of smoke. The resulting smoke filled the famously long tunnel connecting the platform to the street.

Commuters described scenes of panic and a delayed door opening. One passenger stated, "The driver took so long to open the door. It was very scary for us." The video footage shows thick brown smoke engulfing the platform as people cough and flee to safety.

Around 60 FDNY and EMS personnel responded to the scene. Luckily, none of the 18 treated individuals suffered serious injuries. Service on the 1 line between 215th Street and 145th Street was temporarily suspended but has since been restored.

The MTA is currently investigating the source of the debris, determining whether it fell from the train or the tunnel ceiling. The FDNY has indicated the incident does not appear to be criminal. The MTA employs a track geometry car equipped with rollers and high-level cameras to detect issues like cracks and debris.

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