Orange Line train burns on bridge above Mystic River, 200 passengers escape, 1 jumps in water

SOMERVILLE – About 200 passengers escaped a burning MBTA Orange Line train on a bridge over the Mystic River Thursday morning. One jumped into the water.

According the MBTA, the flames and smoke started pouring out of the first car of the train around 6:45 a.m. while it was on the bridge heading towards Assembly station in Somerville.

Power was shut off between Assembly and Wellington stations as riders frantically scrambled to get out of the train safely, some through windows in the first car.

“Public safety personnel picked up a person who had jumped into the water after exiting the train. The person declined medical attention,” the MBTA said in a statement. 

Passenger Jennifer Donovan told WBZ-TV she heard an explosion or loud bang and then smoke filled the train car. She said people tried to pry the doors open and punch the glass out of windows in order to get out.

“People got very frightened, started screaming,” she said. “It was a pretty wild scene.”

The MBTA said no one was hurt. Photos and video sent to WBZ showed passengers evacuating the train, some through windows onto the tracks. They then walked down the tracks to shuttle buses.

The train was later towed to Wellington Station. There’s no word yet on what caused the fire.

“The MBTA Track and Power Departments are at the incident location inspecting infrastructure. The MBTA has notified the FTA and the NTSB of the incident,” the T said in its statement.

“Shuttle buses replacing service between Oak Grove and Community College due to a disabled train near Assembly. Please expect delays as shuttles are dispatched,” the MBTA tweeted.