Train catches fire on bridge over river. What happens next

A Boston train carrying more then 200 passengers caught fire on Thursday while on a bridge over the Mystic River.

The passengers on the subway train were evacuated with help from the metro personnel. Many jumped out through windows they had smashed open. One woman got out of the train, jumped from the bridge into the river below, and swam to safety.

Reports said the train was nearing a station in Somerville when smoke and flames were noticed by passengers. No one was injured; the woman who jumped into the river did not suffer any major injuries and declined medical attention.


The fire was caused when a metal strip came loose from a train car and made contact with a third rail which had electricity coursing through it, New York Times quoted a top official of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority as saying.