Amtrak train evacuated in Charlotte after fire filled passenger cabin with smoke
An Amtrak train with 124 passengers aboard was evacuated near the Charlotte station early Saturday after a fire filled the passenger cabin with smoke, fire officials said.
Firefighters immediately helped passengers off the train after responding just before 2:30 a.m., according to a Charlotte Fire Department post on social media. Callers reported smoke from the lower portion of the train filling the passenger cabin, officials said.
Firefighters and paramedics “evaluated multiple passengers on scene due to smoke exposure inside the cabin,” according to the fire department. No serious injuries were reported, officials said.
“As the train traveled through the area, crew members from Engine 27 observed and confirmed a noticeable smoke haze before it arrived at the station,” according to the social media post.
Crews from Ladder 1 and Ladder 4 immediately moved passengers to a safe location in the station.
Firefighters found a train car whose brakes were on fire.
“The fire was contained to the brake pads and did not extend into the train itself,” officials said.
Charlotte Fire responded with four engine companies and the two ladder companies. A battalion chief served as incident commander before the scene was eventually turned over to Amtrak authorities, who will investigate the cause.
Battalion 1 cleared the scene at 3:32 a.m.
It wasn’t immediately known where the train originated, where it was headed, how long train service was disrupted or when it resumed. Also unknown was whether passengers were able to reach their destinations, and how.
An Amtrak representative said he was checking into the incident and that someone would reply as soon as possible Saturday night.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 6:16 PM.