Electrical Fires Disrupt Los Angeles Metro Service on Red and Purple Lines
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Los Angeles, CA – Two separate electrical fires disrupted service on Los Angeles Metro’s Red and Purple Lines Tuesday afternoon, prompting station evacuations and halting train traffic. No injuries have been reported in either incident.
Red Line Disruption at Wilshire/Alvarado Station
The first fire was reported shortly after 1 p.m. at the Wilshire/Alvarado station, located at 662 S. Alvarado St., on the Red Line. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the incident involved “report of light smoke” within the station.
“Trains into and out of station have been stopped,” the LAFD stated. “The train station has been evacuated out of precaution.”
The speedy response by the LAFD ensured the safety of passengers and staff, with a full evacuation of the station completed without incident.Commuters experienced notable delays as a result of the service interruption.
Second Fire Impacts Purple Line Construction
Approximately 45 minutes later,a similar electrical fire occured at a Purple Line station currently under construction at 761 S. La Brea Ave. While the station is not yet open to the public,the incident caused a temporary halt to construction activities.
Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported at the construction site. The cause of both fires is currently under investigation, and Metro officials are assessing the extent of any potential damage to infrastructure.
Metro Responds to incidents
Metro officials reported that the fires were quickly extinguished by the LAFD. The red Line resumed limited service around 4:30 p.m.,with residual delays expected throughout the evening. Construction on the Purple Line was halted for safety inspections, but resumed Wednesday morning. The cause of both fires is under investigation, with initial assessments pointing to potential electrical malfunctions. Metro is working with the LAFD and autonomous engineers to determine the precise cause and implement preventative measures.
Metro has not yet released an estimated time for full service restoration on either line. Passengers are advised to check the Metro website or social media channels for the latest updates and alternative transportation options. The agency is prioritizing a thorough investigation to determine the cause of these incidents and prevent future occurrences.
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These disruptions highlight the importance of ongoing maintenance and safety protocols within the Metro system, notably as the agency continues to expand its rail network.
