BANGKOK — A fire broke out on the MRT Blue Line track near Tao Poon station on Sunday afternoon, temporarily disrupting services between the Blue and Purple lines.
The fire was reported at about 12:30 on 20 September near an electrical junction identified as BL-PW18L on the Blue Line track at Tao Poon station in Bang Sue district.
Witnesses reported seeing smoke and flames on the elevated track. Firefighters responded and brought the blaze under control. No injuries were reported, although falling sparks caused minor damage to one motorcycle parked below the track.
Power to the affected section was cut as a precaution, temporarily suspending MRT Blue Line services at Tao Poon.
At about 13:50, police from Tao Poon station and officials from Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM), which operates the MRT Blue Line, inspected the affected section after power to the third rail was disconnected. Crews walked along the track to assess the damage and investigate the cause.
At about 15:50, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, Bang Sue district chief Thawatchai Chan-se and MRTA deputy governor for operations Witthaya Phanmongkol visited the site with officials.
Witthaya said the initial information indicated that a spark had caused an interruption to the power supply, but a detailed investigation was still needed to determine exactly how the incident occurred.
He said the system was regularly maintained, but officials would examine the electrical system and identify any potential risks to prevent a recurrence.
Witthaya also said a possible link to moisture during the rainy season could not yet be ruled out, but stressed that the actual cause would have to be established through further investigation.
The initial assessment found damage to a cable supplying power to trains. Officials said repairs would be carried out as quickly as possible, with the initial target of restoring Blue Line services by Monday morning to reconnect the Blue and Purple lines.
The Purple Line remains in service as normal. However, Blue Line services are currently disrupted, leaving passengers without a direct rail connection at Tao Poon.
Shuttle buses have been deployed between Tao Poon and Bang Phlat stations to help transport passengers while repair work is under way.
Officials said passenger safety would remain the priority and that additional shuttle buses would be provided as needed.
