Car fire in Lincoln Tunnel sparks rush hour chaos and injuries

A routine Tuesday evening commute turned into a dramatic ordeal for thousands of drivers and transit riders after a car fire erupted in the south tube of the Lincoln Tunnel, causing massive traffic delays and sending six people to the hospital or for medical evaluation.

According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), the incident began around 5:40 p.m. when the FDNY received a report of a car ablaze inside the tunnel. Emergency crews responded swiftly, extinguishing the fire before it could spread to other vehicles or infrastructure. Despite the quick action, the incident brought traffic to a virtual standstill, particularly for those heading into Manhattan at the peak of rush hour.

One person was transported to Mount Sinai West Hospital for further treatment, while five others were evaluated at the scene for minor injuries by EMS workers. The identities of those involved have not been released, and officials have not specified the cause of the fire, which remains under investigation.

Commuter impact: A tunnel of frustration

The Lincoln Tunnel, a critical artery connecting New Jersey to Midtown Manhattan, was quickly clogged with vehicles as emergency crews worked. Commuters described being trapped for over an hour, with social media lighting up with reports from frustrated travelers. One X (formerly Twitter) user, captured the mood, posting: “FINALLY OUT!!! over an hour delay stuck in the Lincoln tunnel while a car was on fire.”

Bus service, particularly for those traveling to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal, was hit hard. NJ Transit reported lingering delays of up to 15 minutes even after the tunnel was cleared, and bus tickets and passes were cross-honored on NJ Transit rail service system-wide to help ease the disruption.

According to PANYNJ, the worst of the delays into New York City were finally cleared just before 8:30 p.m., nearly three hours after the initial incident. However, residual delays continued to ripple through the system, especially for bus commuters.

Official statements

The Port Authority and FDNY both praised the swift response of emergency personnel, noting that the fire was contained quickly and that injuries were relatively minor given the circumstances. “Our top priority is always the safety of our commuters and staff,” a PANYNJ spokesperson said. “We thank the FDNY and EMS for their rapid response and professionalism.”

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire. In the meantime, NJ Transit advises commuters to check for updates and allow extra travel time as the system recovers from the disruption.