Fire Forces Evacuation, Hospitalizes Nine on New Jersey-NYC Commuter Train

A fire broke out on a Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) train at the Newport station in Jersey City early Monday morning, causing panic as passengers evacuated amid thick smoke and visible flames. The blaze started around 6:15-6:19 a.m. beneath one of the train cars, leading to the treatment of thirteen people for smoke inhalation, with nine hospitalized for further evaluation. Videos shared on social media show passengers urgently trying to open doors and flee as flames rose nearly to the top of the train car. The incident led to a suspension of service on affected PATH lines for about five hours, impacting the daily commute of approximately 165,000 passengers who travel between northern New Jersey and Manhattan. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, while the Port Authority issued an apology for the disruption and safety concerns. This fire adds to a series of recent transit incidents in the New Jersey area, including previous vehicle fires and crashes that have heightened commuter anxiety.