A “buildup of leaves and debris” under the Patterson SkyTrain station tracks was the source of the fire that shut down the Expo Line for part of Thursday's commute, according to the Burnaby Fire Department.
Fire crews were called to the station at about 6 p.m. for reports of a fire on the tracks, according to assistant fire Chief Gavin Summers.
One video posted on social media shows smoke billowing from under a train; another shows flames leaping from the tracks.
Track on fire at Patterson station today. Had to evacuate, but message was not clear so lots of people were sticking around initially. #patterson #translink #trainfire #fire #hazzard part 1 pic.twitter.com/PaoL4SklVe
— Lou (@loutheprick) March 11, 2022
TransLink staff cleared passengers from the station, according to a transit police Tweet, and Summers said firefighters isolated the area.
In the end, however, he said the fire was “very minor,” and firefighters put it out in seconds.
Track on fire at Patterson station today. Had to evacuate, but message was not clear so lots of people were sticking around initially. #patterson #translink #trainfire #fire #hazzard part 1 pic.twitter.com/PaoL4SklVe
— Lou (@loutheprick) March 11, 2022
“Some leaves were burning; that’s all. They put it out with a dry chem,” he said.
He said the accumulated debris would have been hard to see without de-energizing the tracks and lifting the metal plates that cover them.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
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