A collision between a Valley Metro light rail train and a tractor-trailer in Phoenix led to a significant fire on Sunday evening, with emergency responders arriving at the scene near 18th and Washington streets around 7:15 p.m., FOX 10 Phoenix reported. The Phoenix Police Department disclosed that upon arrival, the officers coordinated with the fire department to evacuate the occupants, during which the driver of the tractor-trailer was hospitalized with injuries that were not life-threatening.
As per the Phoenix Fire Department, the crash resulted in heavy fire and smoke, with flames reaching heights of approximately 30 feet. The department's efforts prevented the fire from spreading to nearby structures. Phoenix Fire Capt. Todd Keller explained that the fire's intensity caused two substations to be de-energized after the overhead catenary system was severed. Consequently, westbound Washington Street was closed from 16th to 20th Streets, and traffic delays were anticipated, as crews worked on cleanup and restoration, ABC15 noted.
Among those caught up in the incident was Taylor Lasch, a passenger on the light rail who described the scene as comparable to a "war zone." "It felt like being in a war zone," said Lasch in an interview obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix, "I've never seen it grow so fast. I've never heard explosions like that." Lasch recounted the frightening moments following the crash, detailing how passengers exited hastily amid the chaos and explosions.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash, while the cleanup process continues to affect local transport and commute patterns. The light rail sustained considerable damage, and service interruptions were expected as investigations and repairs progressed. The Valley Metro advised passengers to anticipate delays while the affected section of westbound Washington Street remains closed, according to ABC15 reporting.
