L Train Stink Shuts Down Subway Line

WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN — A gas smell on L trains prompted MTA officials to suspend service for several hours Tuesday afternoon while they investigated the source of the stench, officials said.

Dozens of riders that took to Twitter to complain said the smell seemed to have started Monday and was permeating trains through several stations in Brooklyn and into Manhattan. The fumes seemed to cause at least one rider to pass out as his L train pulled into 1st Avenue station, according to a rider who was on his train.

"The people surrounding him helped out," Josh Fidanque said, adding that he had been considering other ways to get to work after the smell made him lightheaded. "They called for support, gave him water, and helped him back up after a few mins."

MTA officials first thought the smell was from diesel trucks doing work in the tunnel and waterproofing work at the Bedford Avenue station. They told Fidanque on Twitter that fans were set up to air out the subway line.

But, when fumes didn't dissipate, officials realized the work was likely not the source of the stench.

They then shut down service between 8th Avenue and Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenue to investigate the smell, which seemed to be coming from the tracks near Graham Avenue.

"Our safety checks have found that the air is currently safe, but we need to correct and resolve the condition," the service announcement said.

The investigation revealed that the smell was from heating oil that had leaked onto the track. Air quality was found to be safe and service resumed around 3 p.m.

Shuttle buses operated between 14 St-Union Sq and Myrtle-Wyckoff Avs stations, the MTA said. L train service continued to operate between Myrtle-Wyckoff Avs and Canarsie Rockaway Parkway.

Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images.