NYC-New Haven Amtrak service remains suspended due to brush fire

NEW YORK CITY - Commuters are feeling the effects on Wednesday after a transformer explosion on Tuesday shut down Amtrak service between New York and New Haven.

Amtrak crews were assessing and repairing damage to the tracks Tuesday night, with service expected to resume by 2 p.m. Wednesday.

In the meantime, travelers are advised to use Metro-North Railroad, which is honoring Amtrak tickets between Grand Central Terminal and New Haven. Passengers arriving at Penn Station will need to make their own way to Grand Central for this alternative route.

Amtrak Bronx fire

Extremely dry conditions have sparked dozens of fires throughout the Tri-State. 

Tuesday's strong winds exacerbated those conditions. Most of the East Coast has seen little rainfall since September, and experts say the fires will persist until significant precipitation or frosts occur.

The fire, which began near Amtrak’s tracks in the Parkchester area, sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky and spread to a nearby Con Edison facility, igniting three parked cars.

Amtrak service between Penn Station and New Haven was temporarily suspended in both directions, causing frustration for travelers.

In addition to the Amtrak fire, another blaze broke out just minutes earlier at an auto parts warehouse about a quarter mile away in Bronxdale. 

That fire, which affected a 60,000-square-foot facility storing cars and parts, escalated to a third alarm. While authorities are still investigating, they have not confirmed any connection between the two incidents.

Firefighters also observed a nearby brush fire, which they are currently investigating as a possible contributing factor.

On the New Jersey and New York border, crews worked to contain the fire dubbed the Jennings Creek Wildfire. The blaze killed a parks employee over the weekend and postponed Veterans Day plans.