NATION : Fire Breaks Out in Rail Tunnel Underneath Waldorf-Astoria
A fire broke out today in a train tunnel underneath the block-long Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in mid-town Manhattan, sending smoke into the lobby of the hotel and halting trains on a major commuter line just hours before the evening rush hour.
Police said 14 employees on the Metro North commuter line, which operates out of Grand Central Station, suffered smoke inhalation.
Rail officials feared the fire could have halted train service for several hours and play havoc with commuters trying to get home during the evening rush hour.
Hotel spokesmen said there was no damage to the hotel and that the smoke was quickly cleared from the lobby. The fire was quickly extinguished.
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