BART train evacuated due to caustic smell on train at West Oakland

OAKLAND, Calif. -- BART trains were delayed briefly at the West Oakland station this morning because of a caustic odor aboard a train that forced its evacuation, BART officials said.

The smell was reported in the lead car of a San Francisco-bound train at 10:28 a.m., BART spokesman Jim Allison said.

The smell was irritating passengers' noses and throats, BART police said. By the time officers arrived, the smell was gone but the train was evacuated as a precaution.

BART police found the air clear and could find no residue of the odor. The train was taken out of service to be checked out at the yard, police said.

The passengers boarded the next train and left at 10:40 a.m., BART officials said.

The incident is causing residual delays getting into San Francisco this morning.