Since nothing can go right for the MTA now that the city's been transformed into Dr. Zhivago's ice palace, it appears a track fire at the N train station at 59th Street and Lexington Avenue has stalled service between Queensboro Plaza and 57 St-7 Avenue. Plus, the station's filled with smoke! Well, at least everyone's staying warm down there.
Tipster Kolbe Nelson tells us his Brooklyn-bound N train was stalled at 59th and Lex at around 10 a.m., after enduring long delays traveling into Manhattan from Queens:
When we finally got to the Lex and 59th station we were held there for about 5-7 minutes and started smelling smoke. Eventually the car started to clear out (I didn't hear any official announcement from the conductor, but I had my headphones in) and a passenger said there was a track fire. I was in the front car and saw flames through the motorman's windshield. Tried to snap a pic, but it didn't turn out.
Smoke started filling up the station and people calmly made there way upstairs to the 6 train and the exits. Some people were coughing, and the smoke was getting a bit thicker as we left. At this point we heard official announcements for service changes and alternate line options. As I exited the station quite a few fire trucks showed up.
The MTA tells us there's a smoke condition north of Lexington Ave, and there are currently no N, Q or R trains between Queensboro Plaza and 57th Street-7th Avenue in either direction. Meanwhile, it appears quite a few commuters were treated to some smoke inhalation this morning:
Of note: no announcement from conductor about obvious fire at front of N train. Had to see/smell it before running from it. @MTA @Gothamist
— Megan Bungeroth (@MeganBungeroth) February 3, 2015
Fire in the brooklyn bound n train tunnel at 59 and lex. Station filling up with smoke @Gothamist @NYDailyNews pic.twitter.com/mnQ59HZiGv
— Kolbe Nelson (@KolbeNelson) February 3, 2015
@Gothamist So Lexington & 59th was rapidly filling up with smoke this morning. pic.twitter.com/zGAaHk1HsZ
— Katie Ruark (@KatieLRuark) February 3, 2015
i got to 59th and the MTA was like SURPRISE mad fucking smoke there was a fucking fire at the station, my ass almost died
— sushi rōll (@YSHelll) February 3, 2015
Q train evacuated at 59th St-Lex for an "investigation"... #itsmellslikeburning #whydidItransfer #stranded @Gothamist pic.twitter.com/AZ6uUKGbpr
— G. Angela Corpus (@corpus1) February 3, 2015
The FDNY is on the scene:
FDNY responding to track fire on Lexington and 60th. pic.twitter.com/lGNYcsUtRM
— Megan Bungeroth (@MeganBungeroth) February 3, 2015
As are MTA workers:
Evacuated from the subway due to smoke. The @MTA gets a bum rap but their front line workers are busting their chops in these conditions.
— Matthew Kovach (@mattiek17) February 3, 2015
We'll update if and when more information becomes available.