MBTA passengers frustrated following train fire

CANTON, MA (WLNE) – The commuter rail schedule is back on track after a train caught fire at Canton Junction Station Thursday night. 

The train was headed from Boston to Providence. The fire caused delays that lasted up to two hours. 

According to Keolis, the company that operates commuter rail trains, a fire sparked in an engine from a buildup of particles in one of the stacks. 

“I’m glad no one was hurt,” said MBTA passenger Robyn Duboys. 

She said she usually would have been on the train from Boston to Providence, but luckily, didn’t take the train last night.  

“It is a little scary,” said Duboys. “It makes you a little uneasy when you hear that it was yesterday.”

Other commuters are feeling frustrated following the fire.

This is the second major incident involving the MBTA in just as many months. 

In June, a red line train derailed outside the JFK/UMASS Station. The derailment is still under repair. Delays are expected to last until construction is complete in mid-August. 

This most recent incident is putting some passengers on edge as they get on board. 

“The next time I take the train I am going to be cautious,” said MBTA passenger Chanelle Kendricks. 

According to MBTA officials, the train fire went out on its own. The train has been sent to a maintenance facility for review. 

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MBTA riders were left frustrated and confused after the commuter rail leaving from Boston to Providence caught fire Thursday evening.

According to Keolis, the company that operates commuter rail trains, a fire sparked up in an engine causing excess smoke to pour out of the train’s exhaust system.

Video from multiple witnesses shows flames leaping from the train which was stopped at Canton Junction.

According to the MBTA, the fire started in the engine exhaust system because of a mechanical issue. 

One rider, Colleen Coughlin, told ABC6 that she was frustrated by the lack of communication by the conductors. 

Coughlin said she never heard conductors tell passengers what was going on and at one point told passengers to get back onto the train. 

Passengers were eventually transferred to another train.

Because of the commotion, Providence bound trains were delayed nearly two hours last night.

Many frustrated riders saying the fire is a symbol of the problems the MBTA continues to face.

A Keolis spokesperson says that the train will be sent to a maintenance facility for further review.

We’re told there were no reported injuries.