12 hurt after fire breaks out at Astor Place subway station, FDNY says

Twelve people were hurt after a fire broke out on a subway vacuum car Tuesday morning at the Astor Place station. 

Firefighters received a call just after 2:15 a.m. about the blaze that sent black smoke billowing from the station. Cellphone video obtained by CBS News New York showed both subway riders and MTA workers fleeing the station.

Officials said the fire broke out as a passenger 4 train was entering the station, causing a chaotic scene for those arriving.

"It was smoke coming from down the platform, filling up the whole station, and it got unbearable. And we all started to cough. A lot of people ran outside," one rider said. 

The fire reached two alarms, and more than 140 firefighters and EMS personnel responded. 

Five firefighters and seven people were injured, according to the FDNY.

"These brave New Yorkers are in my thoughts this morning as they recover," said NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin in a statement. 

The aftermath caused backups throughout the morning. The 4 and 5 trains are back to normal, but downtown 6 is still running with delays, according to the MTA website.

"Right now we're working with New York City Emergency Management, MTA Police and MTA subject matter experts to be able to figure out next steps to remove this train, to bring it to a safe location, and to open up the track," said FDNY Assistant Chief Thomas Currao.