Panic struck on Monday when a fire broke out in a commuter train in the subways of New York City. Eyewitnesses shared staggering visuals on social media showing flames and smoke quickly filling the underground train.

As per officials, the blaze broke out at 6.15 AM (local time) in Jersey City, which sent passengers into a frenzy, causing panic as people ran to escape from the fire. Nine people have been hospitalised due to sudden asphyxiation, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The NYT also reported that service on two other PATH lines was suspended for the following five hours.

In the video, passengers in panic can be seen struggling to escape the train on fire. With worried expressions after seeing the extent of flames and fire, they escaped hurriedly as soon as the doors opened, from what could have been a disastrous event. Along with the nine people hospitalised, thirteen people were treated for smoke inhalation on the scene.

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While the reason for the fire has not been disclosed yet, further details are still awaited. While the impact was comparatively less, it could have been detrimental as PATH trains carry 165,000 passengers on an average weekday between New Jersey and Manhattan.

Recent New Jersey accidents

Meanwhile, this fire was not the first of many incidents that sent New Jersey commuters into a frenzy over the past few months. A similar fire accident engulfed a car in the Lincoln Tunnel, leaving the driver hospitalised and blocking the entire road’s traffic.

In July, two transit buses rammed into each other on a ramp near the Port Authority Bus Terminal. It left several hurt and caused a major delay in public transport. It was preceded by a strike from New Jersey’s train drivers in May, where the commuter train network came to a standstill for four days.