A SEPTA train headed to Wilmington from Philadelphia caught fire on Thursday, February 6th.
WILMINGTON- A SEPTA train headed to Wilmington from Philadelphia caught fire on Thursday, February 6th, leading federal authorities to investigate what caused the fire.
No serious injuries were reported after the SEPTA car was fully engulfed in flames shortly after leaving the Crum Lynne Station.
The train, transporting around 350 people, was halted around 6 p.m., and evacuation of its six cars began.
Once passengers were safely moved to a secure area, it became evident that the lead car was on fire. About an hour after the fire, SEPTA provided shuttle buses to transport passengers to their destinations.
Federal authorities and the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) are leading an investigation to determine the cause of the train fire. The cause of the fire is not considered to be suspicious.
Public Affairs Officer of the NTSB Keith Holloway says that the investigation into the fire is ongoing and in the early stages of an investigation.
“NTSB investigators are continuing their work examining and documenting the scene. I suspect they may be there for another few days,” Holloway said. “There is no set timeframe for on scene work.”
The investigations involve three primary areas, “the human, machine and the operating environment.”
As part of this process, investigators will gather the following information and records:
- Image recorders/event recorders (if available) from the train
- Track maintenance/inspection records
- Signal data
- Train car maintenance and inspection records
- Braking system inspection and maintenance records
- Review dispatch procedures
- 72-hour background of the crew to determine if there were any issues that could have affected the operator/engineer’s ability to safely operate the train
- Witness statements
- Electronic devices that could contain information relevant to the investigation
The NTSB does ask that witnesses to the accident or those who have surveillance video or other information that could be relevant to the investigation, contact them at [email protected].
“During the on-scene phase of the investigative process, the NTSB does not determine or speculate about the cause of the accident.”
A preliminary report will be available within 30 days; it can be accessed by searching the railroad investigations pages.
The preliminary report will contain factual information gathered during the initial phase of the investigation. A probable cause of the crash along with any contributing factors will be detailed in the final report, which is expected in 12-24 months.
Claudia is a Philadelphia-based journalist and reporter passionate about storytelling that informs and engages the community. Claudia, a proud Temple University graduate, has built a career covering impactful stories and creating compelling content across digital and print media platforms. With a strong background in writing, editing, and research, Claudia has worked on various topics, from local news to in-depth features, always striving to deliver meaningful and accurate reporting.
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