On August 4, at around 2:15 a.m., the FDNY arrived at the Astor Place subway station in response to a fire involving a four-car MTA work train.

Heavy smoke from the fully involved vacuum train was seen by firefighters at the street and station levels. The train's sprinkler system was supplied, handlines were deployed, and primary and secondary searches were carried out.

While attempting to put out a fire in a filter compartment of the work train, firefighters simultaneously evacuated a northbound passenger train that had reached the station during the incident.

Five firefighters and seven civilians were among the twelve injured. In order to put out the fire, remove the train, and restore service, FDNY firefighters collaborated with MTA employes, MTA Police, and NYC Emergency Management. The cause is still being looked into.