Harlem Fire: Metro North Railroad Bridge On Fire Sept. 20: Photos

by Amy Judd | September 20, 2010 at 08:16 am

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Update: 4:15 pm PT

Metro North is now reporting that all four tracks running over the Harlem Bridge are functioning as normal and a regular rush hour can be expected.

For those traveling to the Yankee Game tonight the additional trains will also run as expected.

The service was suspended for about three hours but it appears that everything should be functioning properly now.

Commuters can ignore the previously issued alternate plans below.

Update: 12:36 pm PT

The fire has now been extinguished under the Metro North 138th Street Railroad bridge and Metro North service has resumed although severe delays are expected. Service is running on an off-peak schedule.

Delays are currently listed on the following lines:

Hudson
Harlem - Wassaic
New Haven - New Canaan, Danbury, Waterbury

Previous Reporting:

A Major Fire Broke Out in Harlem New York at the Metro North 138th Street Railroad Bridge

There is no indication that anyone is hurt, but New York fire officials have confirmed that they are battling a huge fire in East Harlem at the Metro North Railroad Bridge. The fire broke out around 11:40am, and it appears that the cause was a transformer.

About 60 firefighters are on the scene and it appears the fire is contained.

Marjorie Anders of the New York Transit Authority said that the fire is actually under the 138th bridge, and the wood pilings are burning. These structures protect the bridge from boat traffic and while the bridge itself is at risk, the full extent of the damage is still not known. At this point the bridge appears to be intact.

The fire impacts four major commuter lines and all Metro-North trains to Grand Central have been suspended. The Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines have been suspended. Northbound trains are being held at Grand Central, while southbound trains are being held at the nearest station possible.

It is not known at this time how much the train service may be affected on Monday due to this fire. Metro-North has suggested alternatives for riders affected by this fire:

Southbound:

New Haven Line customers get off at Woodlawn and transfer to the No. 2 at 233rd Street for service to Manhattan.

Harlem Line customers get off at Wakefield to get to 241st street No. 2 subway OR Yankees-E. 153rd Street to get the No. 4 or D subway.

Hudson Line customers also get off at Yankees-E. 153rd Street for the D train or No. 4 Or at Marble Hill to transfer to the No. 1 at 225th Street.

All southbound trains will go to and terminate at Yankees-E 153rd Street Station.

Northbound:

ALL Metro-North customers should take the No. 4 or D to get a Metro-North train at Yankees-E 153rd Street Station.