Service on Montreal's Orange Line was disrupted for more than an hour on Monday after smoke was discovered on the tracks near Rosemont station, forcing the suspension of operations between Berri-UQAM and Henri-Bourassa stations.
Timeline of the Service Interruption
The incident began around 12:30 p.m. when smoke was detected, prompting immediate safety measures. While service on the rest of the line resumed by approximately 12:45 p.m., the affected segment between Berri-UQAM and Henri-Bourassa remained closed for investigation and clearance.
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) announced via social media that full service was expected to be restored by 1:45 p.m., following thorough inspections by emergency responders and transit personnel.
Fire Department Response and Investigation
Montreal fire department spokesperson William Murray confirmed the presence of smoke in an official statement. "There was smoke detected at the station, but we can confirm there was no fire," Murray explained. "Our teams were dispatched to support STM staff in assessing the situation and ensuring passenger safety."
The fire department's involvement was precautionary, with crews working alongside transit authorities to identify the source of the smoke and verify that no fire hazards remained before allowing service to resume.
Impact on Commuters and Service Recovery
The service interruption affected one of Montreal's busiest metro lines during midday operations. Commuters traveling between the affected stations experienced delays and were advised to seek alternative transportation options while crews addressed the situation.
The STM's official Orange Line account posted updates throughout the incident, stating: "Service interruption extended line 2 - ORANGE between Berri-UQAM and Henri-Bourassa. Equipment on tracks problem. Service expected to resume at 1:45 PM."
Transit officials emphasized that passenger safety remained their top priority throughout the incident, with regular updates provided through official channels to keep the public informed about service restoration progress.
