Smoke Detectors Put in Amtrak Crew Cars

Amtrak has begun installing smoke detectors in crew cars as a result of a weekend fire that killed an employee, a spokeswoman said.

Installation of the detectors began this week in the approximately 15 double-decker cars that serve as crew sleeping quarters on long-distance trips, the spokeswoman said.

The action was taken after an employee died of smoke inhalation from a fire Saturday in the crew car of the California Zephyr. Nineteen people suffered minor injuries in the fire, which was discovered as the train pulled into Hastings, Neb., for a scheduled stop.