Mechanical Issues At Union Street Stall R Train Service

GOWANUS, BROOKLYN — Straphangers had to evacuate a smoking-R train at a Brooklyn station during Monday's morning rush after the train suffered mechanical problems, said a fire department spokesman.

Firefighters responded to a call of smoke in the Union Street subway station on the R line at 8:48 a.m., FDNY said. Commuters were forced to flee the train as gray smoke flooded the northbound subway platform, video shows.

Photos showed a packed platform as subway riders waited to squeeze onto another working train.

At least four firetrucks arrived on the scene as MTA crews worked to restore service to the beleaguered R line, FDNY said.

Northbound R trains were temporarily running express from 36 Street to Atlantic Avenue, but local service has since resumed with delays, the MTA said.

Service on the neighboring B, D, N and Q lines are also running with delays because of a signal problem at DeKalb Avenue. MTA crews are on the scene working to restore service, the agency said.

Lead photo courtesy of Jeff Andrew