Metro service suspended for Blue, Orange, Silver lines after insulator fire shuts down Eastern Market station

Sparks fly near Eastern Metro Station, 1 passenger injured

Metro service is back and running after a fire on one of the trains shut down the Eastern Market Metro Station sending a passenger to the hospital. FOX 5's Nana-Sentuo Bonsu has the story.

WASHINGTON - DC Fire and EMS responded to the Eastern Market Metro station Thursday morning where a fire shut down operations and caused suspensions on several lines.

Officials say the station in the 700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, was evacuated as smoke began to pour out onto the platform.

At this time, DCFEMS says an insulator caught on fire under a railcar in the station. That fire was extinguished and crews are working with Metro to ventilate the station.

Eastern Market Metro station fire

Officials are responding to a fire at Eastern Market Metro station Thursday afternoon.

The preliminary investigation indicates that the fire is believed to have been caused by "arcing likely from contact with the energized third rail."

Metro officials say there are no known fleet-wide issues but inspections continue.

Nine patients were evaluated and one of them was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Metro suspended service for the Blue, Orange and Silver lines between Federal Center and Stadium Armory. Shuttle buses were brought in to help transport passengers.

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According to Councilmember Charles Allen, there was no train derailment and no injuries have been reported at this time.

DCFEMS is continuing to investigate the source of the smoke.

Roads were closed between the 700-900 block of Pennsylvania Ave, SE, as well as 8th Street, SE between C Street, SE and E Street, SE.

FOX 5 is headed to the scene. Check back for updates on this developing story.