SAN FRANCISCO—A sparking track insulator caused an alarming quantity of smoke to gather on the platform of the Powell Street train station Friday, February 13.
At 8:45 a.m., service to the station temporarily stopped as Bay Area Rapid Transit officials worked to determine the source of the mysterious smoke.
Passengers reported what looked similar to a firecracker flashing near the tracks, a phenomenon that turned out to be the troublesome track insulator. Passengers remained calm while the issue was resolved.
Once the trains and tracks had been inspected for serious flaws, the station was ventilated but not closed, and the tracks re-opened for service.
There were no reports of any injuries from the incident.
