A brush fire on Amtrak property disrupted travel along the Northeast Corridor Thursday afternoon as crews battled the stubborn blaze fueled by dry conditions.
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Firefighters were dispatched around 2:45 p.m. to a wooded area behind the Penn Warner Club in Falls Township.
The fire was likely sparked by the busy rail lines and quickly spread through brush, trees, and downed limbs, Falls Township Fire Company Chief Nate Nelson said.
The fire forced Amtrak and SEPTA’s Trenton Line to hold all train traffic for some time.
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While service was restored by the evening, trains were required to operate at reduced speeds while crews remained on the scene until about 5 p.m., Nelson said.
Nelson explained that firefighters laid hose lines underneath the tracks to keep water flowing to firefighters.
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Placing lines under the tracks allowed trains to pass safely over the equipment while crews continued their work, the chief said.
Reaching the fire proved difficult due to the location and a lack of nearby hydrants.
Firefighters used field trucks and forestry lines to access to the area and extinguish the fire.
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Firefighters worked to make sure there wasn’t rekindling of the brush, Nelson said.
No injuries were reported, and no structures were damaged in the blaze.
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The Falls Township Fire Company was assisted on the scene by the Croydon, Morrisville, Tullytown, and the Third District fire companies.
