Amtrak trains suspended between NYC’s Penn Station, New Haven after transformer explosion knocks out power

A series of fires in the Bronx have knocked out power for trains in the area, disrupting travel between New York Penn Station and New Haven, Connecticut — and suspending Amtrak service in both directions for the rest of the day.

The fires erupted along an Amtrak train route in the borough near a Con-Ed plant just after 2 p.m. following a transformer explosion at a substation on Uniondale Road, according to FDNY. Video at the scene shows black smoke billowing up from the area no more than 15 feet from the tracks.

A nearby warehouse fire was also reported. Both fires were brought under control just before 6 p.m. with no injuries reported.

Limited service will still be available between Boston South Station and New Haven, according to an Amtrak alert, which initially referred to the blaze as a brushfire.

Trains approaching NY Penn Station are being moved out of the area at reduced speeds using diesel-powered engines.

Amtrak is encouraging riders traveling from New York to New Haven to instead use Metro-North Railroad services, which will be honoring Amtrak tickets in light of the service disruption. Customers with Amtrak tickets taking Metro-North trains will need to board at Grand Central Station.

As of 5 p.m., NJ Transit was not reporting any service disruptions related to the blaze.

Additional reporting by Amanda Woods