The LIRR level of Penn Station was nearly deserted as a May 14 tunnel fire kept most service suspended throughout the day on May 15, with the MTA urging riders to use Grand Central Madison. A strike began at 12:01 a.m. on May 16, with up to 300,000 commuters impacted if the strike stretches into the work week.
The LIRR level of Penn Station was nearly deserted as a May 14 tunnel fire kept most service suspended throughout the day on May 15, with the MTA urging riders to use Grand Central Madison. A strike began at 12:01 a.m. on May 16, with up to 300,000 commuters impacted if the strike stretches into the work week. ( Photo: Ralph Spielman)

A blaze started in a feeder cable in one of the station’s East River tunnels on May 14, disrupting LIRR and NJ Transit service well into the next day. Then only hours after the damaged wires were repaired, LIRR workers went on strike at 12:01 a.m. on May 16.

New Summer of Hell? Fire Breaks Out At Penn Station, LIRR Strike Begins 2 Days Later
16 May 2026 | 07:42
News

It could be shaping up to be a new Summer of Hell for commuters.

A track fire broke out in an East River tunnel on the morning of Thursday, May 14, snarling commutes for numerous Penn Station commuters throughout the next day.

All eastbound LIRR service was halted throughout Friday, with commuters told...

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