19 hospitalized after fire in Chicago subway tunnel. Watch video from passengers trapped on smoke filled train.

The news story above from WGN-TV has video taken from inside a smoke filled car on a CTA Red Line subway train in Chicago yesterday afternoon. Nineteen people were hospitalized after the northbound train became trapped by burning railroad ties. Five passeners were reported in serious to critical condition.

In the video you can hear the train operator explain to passengers he can’t open the doors for fear that more smoke would fill the cars.

Here are excerpts from an article by Sun-Times reporters Micahel Lansu and Sally Ho:

CTA spokeswoman Catherine Hosinski said a “small fire” started on the tracks near the Chicago Avenue station and power was removed about 5:10 p.m. The fire was extinguished “within minutes,” she said.

Fire Media Affairs spokesman Richard Rosado said the fire started on the railroad ties at 4:58 p.m. An extra-alarm and EMS Plan II — which automatically sends at least 10 ambulances — was called at 5:18 p.m. and 100 emergency personnel from 32 units responded.

 This video was shot above ground looking at smoke billowing from the tunnel. Click here for another video.