Fire on Chicago subway train

2006-07-12 09:14

Chicago - More than 100 passengers were admitted to local hospitals for treatment for smoke inhalation after a fire on an elevated subway train in Chicago on Tuesday, transit officials said.

Two passengers were hospitalised in a serious condition after the incident, the Chicago Sun-Times reported on its website.

Those leaving the train were described as blacked with soot from the smoke inside the cabins.

The fire occurred during the evening rush hour on one of Chicago's elevated "El" trains just north of the city's downtown Loop business district.

Nothing suspicious

Chicago police superintendent Phil Cline told reporters there was no sign of anything suspicious in the fire, which occurred the same day as a multiple bombing terrorist attack that killed more than 150 people on commuter trains in Mumbai, India.

The blaze and smoke might have been set off by a minor derailment. Transit authorities were investigating the accident.

The problem is believed to have started on the last carriage of an eight-car train. - Sapa-dpa

- News24