Fire halts MRT3 operations; heavy traffic expected on Quirino Highway

Firemen put out a fire under an MRT3 coach. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

A small fire broke out beneath one of the coaches of a Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT3) train on Sunday, briefly interrupting services and forcing passengers to alight and walk on the railway toward the nearest station.

Quoting the MRT3 Control Center, Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez said that due to the incident, train operations were limited to between Shaw and Taft stations starting at 10:20 a.m.

The affected train was later removed and operations returned to normal at 11:12 a.m.

The fire broke out in a northbound train shortly after it left the Araneta Center-Cubao station. Black smoke was detected emanating from under the fifth coach at 10:14 a.m.

The train stopped in front of Mega Q-Mart as passengers were ordered to get off and walk on the tracks toward GMA-Kamuning station.

Firetrucks were called to the scene, but firefighters were told not to douse the blaze with water due to concerns that it could further damage electrical connections.

Chavez referred reporters to MRT3 director for operations, Mike Capati, who has yet to issue a statement on the incident.

Meanwhile, starting today, motorists going to and from the northern sections of Caloocan and Quezon City, and San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan should brace themselves for heavy traffic on Quirino Highway.

The Metro Rail Transit Line 7 Project Traffic Management Task Force asked the public to avoid the area where traffic is expected to build up due to the ongoing construction of the MRT7.

“The task force appeals to the general public for their patience, and to the drivers of both private and public vehicles for their full cooperation,” it said.