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Dupont station evacuated after mechanical failure
CTV.ca News Staff
Toronto's Dupont subway station was evacuated Thursday morning after a mechanical failure filled the tunnel and platform with smoke, prompting officials to shut down service.
At least four people are suffering from smoke inhalation, according to reports.
Officials say the mechanical malfunction occurred when a metal plate from the bottom of the train became dislodged and wedged itself in the high-voltage third rail, causing sparks and a short circuit that sounded like a blast and sending passengers scrambling to safety.
"There was a piece of metal that was contacting the third rail and it was being dragged along by the train," Toronto police Staff Sgt. Don Cole told CTV.ca.
The third rail supplies the voltage to power the train.
"(The metal) was making contact with the electrified rail... So no doubt there were some flashes and really loud bangs but no fire. Apparently there were a couple of minor injuries but it has turned into a non-event," Cole said.
The short circuit filled the station with smoke, which affected the passengers on the train and on the platform, Toronto fire department Chief William Stewart told reporters on the scene.
"Fortunately enough today there were no passengers in the tunnel or in the danger area. We removed them safely from the train and from the platform, we brought them up to ground level," Toronto fire Acting District Chief Bruce Moonlight told CTV Newsnet.
The passengers have been transported to hospital for observation.
"We believe it was slight smoke inhalation but we're unsure at this time," Moonlight said.
Shuttle buses are being used to ferry passengers between stops as subway service has been shut from St. George station to St. Clair West.
But TTC spokeswoman Marilyn Bolton told The Canadian Press that she didn't know when subway service at the station would resume.
Moonlight said that while the train will likely undergo minor repairs there is no lasting damage to the station.
CTV.ca News Staff
Toronto's Dupont subway station was evacuated Thursday morning after a mechanical failure filled the tunnel and platform with smoke, prompting officials to shut down service.
At least four people are suffering from smoke inhalation, according to reports.
Officials say the mechanical malfunction occurred when a metal plate from the bottom of the train became dislodged and wedged itself in the high-voltage third rail, causing sparks and a short circuit that sounded like a blast and sending passengers scrambling to safety.
"There was a piece of metal that was contacting the third rail and it was being dragged along by the train," Toronto police Staff Sgt. Don Cole told CTV.ca.
The third rail supplies the voltage to power the train.
"(The metal) was making contact with the electrified rail... So no doubt there were some flashes and really loud bangs but no fire. Apparently there were a couple of minor injuries but it has turned into a non-event," Cole said.
The short circuit filled the station with smoke, which affected the passengers on the train and on the platform, Toronto fire department Chief William Stewart told reporters on the scene.
"Fortunately enough today there were no passengers in the tunnel or in the danger area. We removed them safely from the train and from the platform, we brought them up to ground level," Toronto fire Acting District Chief Bruce Moonlight told CTV Newsnet.
The passengers have been transported to hospital for observation.
"We believe it was slight smoke inhalation but we're unsure at this time," Moonlight said.
Shuttle buses are being used to ferry passengers between stops as subway service has been shut from St. George station to St. Clair West.
But TTC spokeswoman Marilyn Bolton told The Canadian Press that she didn't know when subway service at the station would resume.
Moonlight said that while the train will likely undergo minor repairs there is no lasting damage to the station.