Fire adds to Philly transit frustration

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Fire engulfed the front car of an inbound commuter train in Philadelphia Wednesday, adding to the chaos of a two-day-old transit strike.

No one was injured in the fire, which occurred around 7 a.m. EST on an inbound Paoli R5 Regional Rail train near Overbrook station in West Philadelphia, KYW radio reported.

Officials said the fire was under control within 35 minutes. The cause is being investigated.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority walkout that began Tuesday did not include the regional train lines but the fire added to frayed nerves Wednesday as public school students who had a day off on Election Day returned to class.

Street traffic already jammed by extra cars was even more congested, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

"The real test is (this) morning, when schools are in full session," said MaryAnn Tierney, Philadelphia's director of emergency management.

Mayor Michael Nutter said the transit strike had "ambushed" the city. "This is unfair to the citizens," he said.

The city assigned shuttles to remote parking lots to take municipal workers to their jobs, relaxed parking restrictions and allowed some to change their work schedules. Road construction was halted during daytime hours.

Tempers rose, the newspaper said. "Everybody is in a recession. Everybody wants a raise. You just can't stop working. Everybody lost in this game," said commuter Nicketta Burden.