Panicked Passengers Flee Smoke-Filled Boston Train, Social Media Video Shows

BOSTON, MA — Scenes of MBTA passengers jumping out windows as staff pry open doors on a smoke-filled Orange Line train are circulating on social media Wednesday night, after mechanical problems prompted a shutdown of the line.

The Orange Line was out of service between Jackson Square and Haymarket, causing severe delays. The MBTA told riders to take the Green Line for downtown service instead.

NECN reports the impacted train's motor overheated, causing the smoke and resulting in the train being taken out of service. Riders were evacuated from the station.

• RELATED: End of the Line? Frustrated Folks Sound Off on Orange Line Disaster
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Transit Police Deputy Chief Preston Horton told WBUR the mechanical problem sparked a fire in nearby tunnel trash, resulting in the heavy smoke. Five people were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene and two were transported to the hospital, the radio station reports; a transit officer was also treated on the scene.

Videos from Twitter show a panicked scene as people escape the smoke-filled train at Back Bay Station:

Elsewhere on the the MBTA, the Red Line is also experiencing substantial delays and significant crowding due to an earlier signal problem at Alewife.

Both incidents occurred near the start of the afternoon commute, and severe delays persisted for hours after.

The MBTA tweeted at 6:21 p.m. that service was resuming with residual delays.

Reported by Alison Bauter, Patch staff

Image via Patrick Mannion via Flickr