NJ Transit service resumes at Penn Station New York after brush fire caused suspension

A brush fire brought NJ Transit to a standstill during the Wednesday rush hour, leaving commuters frustrated and stuck at New York's Penn Station.

Firefighters battled a massive brush fire in Secaucus near the New Jersey Turnpike that halted all NJ Transit lines in and out of the city. The flames were right near one of the Hudson River Tunnels.

Would-be commuters could do nothing but watch and wait as schedule boards flashed "cancelled" and crowds gathered.

"It's chaos, you know what I'm saying?" commuter Hassan Brown said.

"There's a brush fire outside and I guess everybody here is stuck," commuter Jeanie Romano said. "I can't get home."

"Sometimes you gotta sit it and wait it out," commuter Dennis Sagwitz said.

As the flames across the river died down, impatience at Penn Station rose up.

"This is ridiculous. I've been waiting here over an hour," commuter Deidra Welch said. "Nobody said anything. There was no announcement saying what's going on."

"It bothers me, you know? It's like something has to start moving," another commuter said.

Just about three hours after the first train was frozen in place, the fire was put out, service resumed, and waiting passengers crammed to board Jersey-bound trains.

Every seat was filled, with many cars standing room only.

By 9 p.m., the trains were on their way.

NJ Transit said there were some lingering delays in and out of Penn Station late Wednesday night.