Smoke, Noise After Cover Touches Third Rail at Smithsonian Metro Station

No injuries were reported

Commuters at the Smithsonian Metro station were startled by loud noise and smoke Thursday afternoon.

A Metro spokesperson told News4 the incident was caused by a cover to the third rail coming loose and making contact with the rail itself.

Some witnesses said the station filled up with smoke and caused a bit of panic. Metro said the situation is under control and maintenance crews are on the scene to make repairs.

Metro spokesman Dan Stessel says it happened around 2:42 p.m. It wasn't clear why the cover came into contact with the rail.

No one was injured.

The station is open, although the incident caused some delays. Trains briefly single-tracked through the station.

Metro said at 3:50 p.m. that single-tracking had ended, but residual delays remained.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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