BART service resumes in San Francisco after debris and fire caused delays

Amy Hollyfield Image
ByAmy Hollyfield KGO logo
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
BART service resumes in SF after debris caused delays
BART is back on track Wednesday morning after a late-night explosion at San Francisco's Montgomery Street station.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- BART is back on track Wednesday morning after an insulator flash and break caused fire, debris and smoke to rise at San Francisco's Montgomery Street station.

Passengers say they didn't notice any problems Wednesday morning. Service through the station is now running fine.

There was an explosion on the third rail just before midnight at the Montgomery Station. A train traveled over the affected area and was damaged.

It is now in the shop for repairs.

RELATED: BART janitor makes $276K with overtime pay

BART police put out the fire but some riders found themselves in the middle of the emergency.

"It was like smoke, so then it was like, OK we should get out. Then everybody get out and I immediately knew that it was going to take a long time. So then I was like, oh I'm just going to be late," Oakland resident Juan Lizarazo said.

Everyone was OK and the track has been repaired.

Problems like this do not surprise BART officials, who say the 44-year-old system needs some upgrades.

Measure RR is on the ballot this election, which is a $3.5 billion bond to go towards BART upgrades.

Critics say BART needs to be held accountable for financial mismanagement, not given more money to spend.

This is on the ballot in three counties - Contra Costa, Alameda and San Francisco.

Click here for more stories about BART.

Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.