TORONTO -- Commuters were forced to evacuate the subway system on Monday morning through a smoky tunnel after a fire temporarily suspended service on a portion of Line 2.
Subway service on Line 2 was stopped between Keele and Ossington stations due to a small fire in the tunnel at Dundas West Station. About 25 shuttle buses were called in for the morning rush but subway service resumed just after 9:45 a.m.
The TTC said a wooden board touched the electric third rail and sparked the fire.
Humber College student Tyler Patterson was on the subway when the fire broke out and said smoke started to build inside the train.
"I was heading to Humber to hand in some assignments but it turned out that wasn't going to be as easy as I thought," Patterson said on Monday morning.
"The power went out and next thing you know they are shepherding everyone to the back two train cars to get away from smoke."
“The train conductors came out and set up the stairs to get us down."
Daniel Ethier, who was also on board the train, said people were "screaming and panicking" when smoke began to fill the train.
He said he got on the subway at Ossington Station and saw a big spark a few minutes later. Ethier said some passengers experienced trouble breathing and covered their faces with whatever they could find.
Authorities said no one was injured in the fire or evacuation.
