WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- One person is dead after the L'Enfant Plaza Metro Station was evacuated Monday afternoon due to heavy smoke in the station, according to WMATA. A total of eighteen patients are being treated at the MedStar Washington Hospital, authorities said.
The station remains closed and all trains are currently bypassing this stop. Metro activated tunnel fans to ventilate the area.
Some passengers were removed from a disabled train inside of the tunnels, DC Fire said.
WUSA9's Mola Lenghi spoke with one passenger who was stuck on Metro for 20 minutes as smoke built up in car. People were screaming and passing out, according to the passenger.
As a precaution, DC Fire Mass Causality Units have been deployed to the Metro station. The majority of injuries are smoke inhalation, WUSA9's Mola Lenghi reports.
Passengers told WUSA9's Mola Lenghi there was an electrical malfunction that caused the smoke and fire. Metro says the station will be closed for sometime and they advise riders to not plan on using the L'Enfant Plaza station for the evening commute.
The fire department is currently at L'Enfant Plaza Metro. The source of the smoke is unknown, authorities said.
Green Line shuttle buses are starting to arrive at Navy Yard. Passengers can board at M & New Jersey; L'Enfant Plaza board at 7th & C St., according to Metrorail Info. Green Line shuttle buses can also board from the Waterfront at M and 4th St SW.
Arlington County Fire is reporting the smell of smoke at the Rosslyn Metro, and WMATA says it's from the incident at L'Enfant Plaza.
