VIDEO: The San Leandro BART station was shut down Tuesday after firefighters responded to an electrical fire on the platform. The closure was announced by the Bay Area Rapid Transit District at 5:09 a.m. Witnesses said they saw huge flames and sparks flying at the station around 5 a.m. No injuries were reported.
BART’s Blue, Green and Orange line service between Berryessa, Dublin/Pleasanton and Lake Merritt came to a halt due to the fire and resulting damage, transit officials said. Passengers are advised to seek alternative forms of transportation. BART estimated that service would be back up and running between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday following repairs.
The electrical fire was believed to be extinguished by 8:30 a.m., according to BART. Officials said the fire caused major damage to a large cable running along the track as well as other train control equipment. Embers were seen falling from the elevated platform earlier Tuesday morning and igniting more small fires on the land below. Officials could not confirm if the station fire was caused by vandalism.
PG&E crews responded to the station to power down the track. The Alameda County Fire Department said putting water on an electrical fire is deadly, and it ensured all power was cut off before attacking the flames. More than 2,500 PG&E customers in the surrounding area of San Leandro are without power as of 6:26 a.m., according to the utility company.
