Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Update: Metrolink investigating train engine fire in Irvine; passengers released
File photo: A conductor steps down from the engine of a Metrolink train on Sept. 15, 2008.
(
David McNew/Getty Images
)
Updated 1:14 p.m.: Metrolink investigators are looking into the cause of a fire on one of its locomotives Thursday morning on the Inland Empire-Orange County line.
The five-car train was going through Irvine on its way to Laguna Niguel when the fire sparked shortly before 9 o'clock.
Orange County Authority Captain Steve Concialdi says it took 40 firefighters about one hour to contain the flames.
"The fire was a stubborn fire in the engine compartment and they had to be extremely careful with all the electronic components. They used five dry can extinguishers, and still the fire was stubborn, and it continued to burn. So then they just had to spray water lightly," Concialdi said.
Support for LAist comes from
Metrolink crews had to move all passengers to the front railcar while firefighters battled the flames.
"Given the location of where this occurred, we weren't able to immediately remove the passengers from the train because of their safety," explained Metrolink spokesman Jeff Lustgarten.
None of the 56 people on board were hurt. Once the fire was put out, all the passengers were evacuated and shuttled to their final destination.
Service was disrupted for a couple of hours.
Earlier: A fire broke out in the engine box of a Metrolink train Thursday morning in Irvine.
No injuries were reported, but it was unclear how long the problem might hold up trains in the area near Sand Canyon and Burt Road.
Metrolink spokesman Jeff Lustgarten told KPCC they received the initial report at 9:05 a.m. The was traveling from downtown Riverside to Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo when a mechanical fire broke out on the locomotive.
Support for LAist comes from
"Nobody's in harm's way. The train is not in a position physically at the moment where we could take people safely off of the train, but we've moved everybody to the back cars, so they're well away from everything that's happening," Lustgarten said.
The cause of the fire was unclear, but Lustgarten said Orange County firefighters were on scene and hoped to have the fire under control soon. Buses had been arranged to take people around the incident.
Correction: An earlier version of this story mistook the timing of commuters' evacuation from the train. KPCC regrets the error.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist