An Amtrak train caught fire Thursday evening in Essex, Baltimore County, Maryland, prompting an emergency response and the evacuation of at least 25 passengers. The incident occurred near Canberra Drive and Waterview Way, where firefighters were called to reports of a fire aboard a stationary Amtrak train. Train traffic in the area was temporarily paused as emergency crews responded.
According to local emergency officials, at least two people suffered minor injuries during the incident. The injured passengers were evaluated following the evacuation, although authorities have not reported any fatalities in the latest information available. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The fire caused disruption for other trains traveling through the Baltimore area. Passengers on other Amtrak services reported being held at or near Baltimore while emergency crews dealt with the situation. One passenger reported that a conductor told travelers that a train ahead had caught fire and was in an emergency situation.
Emergency personnel worked to secure the area and evacuate passengers from the affected train car. Authorities have not yet released a complete account of the damage to the train or provided a definitive timeline for when normal rail traffic will resume.
The incident highlights the potential for a single emergency on the Northeast Corridor to cause delays for multiple services because of the high volume of passenger trains using the route. Travelers heading through Baltimore toward Washington, Philadelphia or other destinations may therefore experience delays or schedule changes while the incident is investigated and the rail line is returned to normal operation.
Officials are expected to provide additional information as the investigation continues, including the circumstances that led to the fire, the extent of the damage and whether further safety inspections will be required.
Passengers planning to travel through Baltimore should check the latest Amtrak service information before departing, as conditions can change while emergency and rail crews continue working at the scene.
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