An Amtrak train fire in Baltimore County, Maryland, prompted the evacuation of 25 passengers Thursday evening and temporarily disrupted rail traffic in the area.
The incident happened on September 24, 2026, as an Amtrak train was traveling through Essex near Canberra Drive and Waterview Way. Firefighters were called to the scene after smoke and fire were reported on the underside of one of the train’s railcars.
The train was carrying 189 passengers at the time.
Amtrak Train Fire in Essex
The Baltimore County Fire Department responded to the train shortly after 6 p.m.
According to CBS Baltimore, the affected train was traveling from New York to Miami when smoke and fire were discovered underneath one of its 10 railcars. Fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze while passengers were moved away from the affected section.
Twenty-five passengers were evacuated from the train during the emergency response.
Once firefighters had extinguished the fire, the evacuated passengers were allowed to return to unaffected cars.
Passengers Report Minor Injuries
At least one passenger suffered a minor injury and declined transportation to a hospital, according to Baltimore County officials cited by FOX45.
Other reports indicated that at least two people sustained minor injuries during the incident. No reports reviewed indicated life-threatening injuries.
There were no reports of fatalities connected to the train fire.
Baltimore County Train Fire Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | September 24, 2026 |
| Location | Essex, Baltimore County, Maryland |
| Nearby streets | Canberra Drive and Waterview Way |
| Train operator | Amtrak |
| Route | New York to Miami |
| Passengers aboard | 189 |
| Passengers evacuated | 25 |
| Reported injuries | Minor injuries |
| Fire status | Extinguished |
| Cause | Not immediately determined |
Train Service Temporarily Paused
Train traffic in the immediate area was temporarily held while firefighters responded to the blaze.
Amtrak subsequently warned passengers that the incident could cause residual delays between Washington and Philadelphia as officials and railway crews worked to restore normal train movements.
Despite the disruption, the affected train was ultimately able to continue toward its next destination after the fire was extinguished.
That means the incident did not result in a prolonged shutdown of the entire Northeast rail corridor based on the latest reports available.
What Caused the Baltimore County Train Fire?
The cause of the fire had not been established in the initial reports.
Fire officials extinguished the blaze and investigated the affected train car, but authorities had not publicly identified a specific mechanical failure or other cause at the time of reporting.
Further information could emerge as the investigation continues.
Amtrak Service Disruption
Passengers traveling through the Baltimore and Washington corridor were advised to expect possible delays following the incident.
Amtrak said local officials had placed a hold on the tracks during the emergency response and that trains could experience residual delays. The company said crews were working with the relevant authorities to restore normal operations.
Travelers with upcoming trips should therefore check their specific train status rather than assuming that every Amtrak service has been canceled.
Baltimore County Officials Respond
The Baltimore County Fire Department handled the emergency response in Essex, with crews working to extinguish the fire and make sure passengers could safely remain aboard unaffected portions of the train.
The quick evacuation of passengers from the affected area helped separate travelers from the burning railcar while firefighters worked at the scene.
By approximately 6:30 p.m., the fire had been extinguished, according to local officials. The train subsequently resumed its journey.
Latest Update on the Essex Amtrak Fire
The Baltimore County train fire remains under investigation, and the cause had not been publicly confirmed in the latest reports.
The main confirmed developments are that an Amtrak train traveling from New York to Miami experienced a fire in one railcar in Essex, 25 passengers were evacuated, minor injuries were reported, and the train continued after firefighters extinguished the blaze.
Amtrak passengers traveling through the region should continue checking for service updates because residual delays may remain as normal rail operations resume.
Disclaimer: This article is based on reports available on September 25, 2026, including information from Baltimore County officials, Amtrak and local news organizations. The cause of the fire had not been confirmed at the time of publication, and injury figures may be updated as authorities release additional information.