L'Enfant Smoke Timeline
On Jan. 12, 2015, smoke overtook a Yellow Line train near the L'Enfant Plaza Metro Station. Passengers were stranded in the orange, acrid smoke for more than 30 minutes before help finally arrived. Here is a timeline recapping their ordeal.
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3:20 p.m. Heavy smoke floods into the L'Enfant Plaza Station. Riders flee up the escalator to escape the smoke.
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3:33 p.m. Call to 911, caller is on a Yellow Line train, which has filled with smoke.Additional calls to 911 come in from other riders at 3:39, 3:42, 3:43, and 3:45. They say the train has filled with smoke and ask if help is on the way.Meanwhile, a 911 caller at 7th and E streets SW says his wife is having trouble breathing.
(Associated Press) -
3:40 p.m. - Power is cut off to the third rail in the station but power continues to energize the line from the south. Passengers have been sitting in the acrid smoke for 25 minutes.(Editor's Note: This video taken by a passenger contains foul language.)by WTOP via YouTube 1/12/2015 8:40:00 PM
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4:27 p.m. Evacuation complete. A total of 380 people from Train 302 came out of the tunnel into the station.200 or more patients were triaged86 people were transported for medical care9 riders sought medical treatment1 rider died
Jeff Marion was on his way home to Alexandria when a train filled with smoke. He has soot under his nose. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
#lenfant #metro #metrofire #dcby vbagate via Instagram
D.C. Fire and EMS set up triage tarps to sort those who needed immediate medical care from those with more minor concerns above the L'Enfant Plaza Station. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)1 of 3
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6:50 p.m. Metro's General Manager Richard Sarles announces that one passenger on the stranded train 302 has died.
(Courtesy Glover Family) -
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Jan. 16 - NTSB releases initial findings and first photos of damaged track and railFederal investigators say that power was not cut to the energized third rail for 45 minutes as an electrical problem released heavy smoke into a Metro train and station Monday sickening dozens and killing one rider.Read the full story here.
(Courtesy NTSB) -
Sons of woman who died on smoke-filled subway file lawsuit
WTOPWASHINGTON (AP) — The sons of a woman who died after smoke filled a Washington subway train are suing the Metro transit agency for $50 million. Attorney Patrick Regan filed the lawsuit Friday on behalf of Marcus and Anthony Glover, the adult sons of Carol Glover. -
Feb. 11 - NTSB announces that ventilation fans actually pushed the smoke toward the stranded Yellow Line train, instead of drawing it away from the train.
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June 8 - NTSB recommends immediate fix to Metro electrical systemFederal transportation safety officials say Metro must immediately repair and install sleeves that are designed to protect electrical components, which power the rail system, from water and other contaminants.
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Feds issue scathing Metro safety report
WTOPWASHINGTON — Overworked, undertrained and distracted rail controllers are just part of the major safety issues that Metro has failed to address, according to a Federal Transit Administration report released Wednesday. The FTA inspection, initiated… -
June 23 - Day 1 of NTSB hearing
(Associated Press) -
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U.S. Secretary of Transportation transfers Metro safety oversight to FTA
WTOPWASHINGTON — The United States Secretary of Transportation on Friday transferred Metro’s safety oversight to the Federal Transit Administration following several safety lapses including the deadly smoke incident at the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station in January.… -
Metro officially appoints new GM
WTOPWASHINGTON — As Metro’s new general manager was sworn in Thursday, he suggested that fare hikes might be off the table for now but also warned riders that it will take time to right the…
