12 injured in Astor Place subway fire, FDNY says

Delays were expected on Brooklyn-bound 4 and 6 trains, city officials said.

A fire that broke out on Tuesday on a work train traveling through the New York City subway spewed heavy smoke through the Astor Place station in the East Village, suspending nearby subway service and injuring a dozen MTA workers and firefighters.

"A lot of heavy smoke, not only at street level but also at the station level," FDNY Assistant Chief Tom Currao told reporters during a press conference.

Currao said at least seven MTA subway workers were treated for smoke inhalation. Five firefighters were also injured, he said.

As the train caught fire, a northbound train arrived at the station and discharged its passengers. Firefighters helped them to safety and made sure none were injured, Currao said.

The city's emergency notification system said to expect delays on Brooklyn-bound 4 and 6 trains.

MTA officials hoped to have the train moved and service restored in time for the morning commute, according to the Fire Department.

"As soon as the fire department clears the train, we should be able to move that train, because it's an electrical unit and get it out of the way relatively quick," Currao said. "There will be residual delays but we are actually in place to start morning service, rush hour traffic."