Fire under elevated train tracks in New York halts service

NEW YORK – A massive fire underneath elevated train tracks in New York City has halted service and stranded thousands of commuters.

Fire officials say the blaze broke out Tuesday evening at a garden nursery centre beneath Metro-North tracks in East Harlem.

Service into and out of Grand Central Terminal was delayed on all three Metro-North lines.

The fire also involved construction debris, several trailers and vehicles.

Officials say the fire may have blown off bolts from the tracks. Structural engineers were assessing any damage to the rails.

One firefighter suffered a minor injury.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire, which forced building evacuations on both sides of the tracks.

Stranded commuters jammed into Grand Central waiting for word on when Metro-North service would be fully restored.