MBTA: No Punishment In Green Line Trolley Track Fire Incident
BOSTON (CBS) – The MBTA said no one will be punished after a Green Line trolley drove through a small fire on a track in Brookline.
The train didn't stop when a trash fire broke out near Coolidge Corner Wednesday evening. The driver was directed to move right over the flames, which were doused quickly by firefighters.
No one was hurt.
Bret Silverman took pictures of the incident with his cell phone and sent them to WBZ-TV.
In a statement Thursday, MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said a "full investigation is underway" but added that "it's clear that neither the train nor its passengers were ever put in harm's way."
"The Green Line Inspector on site, relied on his 20 years of experience in making a decision to direct the train to proceed past the small trash fire," he said.
"Powered by electricity from overhead wires, there are no flammable liquids or other combustibles underneath a trolley."
"At this point, there are no plans to discipline any employees in connection with this incident."
But, Pesaturo said the incident was not properly reported to the T's subway control center.
General Manager Richard Davey has "directed subway managers to revisit the T's current procedures for reporting such incidents, and to tighten them up."
Pesaturo told WBZ-TV there are fire extinguishers on the trains in the event of an emergency.
