Firefighters Douse Freight Train Fire

Just after attending 9/11 Memorial services Sunday, firefighters from Hicksville and Westbury were called to a freight train car ablaze near the Hicksville LIRR station.

The freight train was riding on the main LIRR line when the engineer spotted smoke coming from one of the cars and pulled off into the Atlantic Freight yard on West John Street, firefighters said.

Rushing to the scene shortly before 1 p.m., firefighters climbed atop the smoking car and exinguished the blaze with foam.

Authorities suspect the incident was caused by sparks thrown from a passing train that ignited the freight car. MTA and National Transportation Safety Board officials were called to the scene, firefighters said.

No significant passenger delays were reported due to the freight car fire.