Jump to content


Photo

Metra Wheaton Front Street Station closed by fire; service unaffected


  • Please log in to reply
5 replies to this topic

#1 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 01 December 2017 - 07:32 AM

My Suburban Life, Downers Grove, IL 11/24/17:
 

Wheaton train station on Front Street closed following fire

No one injured in Nov. 22 fire

 

 

WHEATON – The Wheaton Metra train station on Front Street is closed following a fire at the station Nov. 22.

 

No one was injured in the fire, which has been determined to be accidental in nature. The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire.

 

The station shelter is inaccessible and the ticket office will be closed until further notice, according to Metra's website. However, trains are operating on a normal schedule and service will not be affected.

 

Continue here.



#2 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 01 December 2017 - 07:34 AM

Metra - City of Wheaton joint news release:

 

Downtown Wheaton Train Station Fire Update

 

(November 30, 2017) - The Wheaton Metra Station at 402 W Front Street remains closed following a fire the evening of Nov. 22. Fire investigators and insurance representatives have inspected the building and are making final evaluations before repairs can begin. The City of Wheaton is working with Metra and Union Pacific Railroad to coordinate the necessary repairs, which are expected to take place over the next 45 days.

 

Once temporary repairs can be made, the commuter waiting and ticket areas will be reopened.

In the meantime, Metra passengers have alternate options for purchasing train fares other than inside the train station:

  • Purchase tickets online at metrarail.com/tickets
  • Purchase tickets via free Ventra App available on Apple or Android smartphones
  • Purchase One-Way tickets with cash directly from the conductor once on board

 

In addition, please note that Metra trains contain restrooms for passengers’ use.

 

We appreciate your patience as we work to reopen the train station as soon as possible.

 



#3 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 01 December 2017 - 07:39 AM

My Suburban Life, 11/30/17:
 

Reopening date unclear for Wheaton Metra station following fire

Malfunctioning heater unit blamed for fire

 

 

WHEATON – Metra officials do not know when the Wheaton train station on Front Street will reopen following a fire at the station Nov. 22.

No one was injured in the fire, which has been determined to be accidental in nature. The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire.

 

The station shelter is inaccessible, and the ticket office will be closed until further notice. However, trains continue to operate on a normal schedule, and service will not be affected. The public address system also is currently inoperable until further notice, and riders are urged to use caution near the platform and to check metrarail.com for any platform changes.

 

SNIP

 

Upon arrival, fire crews identified a fire in a storage/furnace room on the building's north side, the release stated. The fire was brought under control within minutes, according to the release.

 

The city of Wheaton leases the building from Metra. After conducting a fire investigation, the Fire Department said the fire appears to have been related to a malfunctioning heater unit, the release stated.

 

Continue here.



#4 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 01 December 2017 - 07:48 AM

City of Wheaton news release 11/23/17 (Late Post):

 
Wheaton Train Station Fire

At approximately 10:50 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017 the Wheaton Fire Department was dispatched to an automatic fire alarm at the Wheaton Train Station located at 402 W Front Street. Upon arrival, fire crews identified a fire in a storage-furnace room on the north side of the building. The fire was brought under control within minutes. The building was unoccupied at the time of fire and there were no injuries. The City of Wheaton leases the building from Metra.

 

Investigators from the Wheaton Fire Department conducted a fire investigation. The cause of the fire is deemed accidental and appears to have been related to a malfunctioning heater unit. It is unknown exactly how the unit started the fire in terms of whether it was an electrical malfunction or an overheated motor, but it was identified as a contributing factor. Damage estimates are unavailable at this time. 

 

The Wheaton Fire Department was also assisted on the scene by the Wheaton Police Department and several fire departments from neighboring communities. The building was posted as unsafe for occupancy due to the damage.

 

 



#5 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 03 January 2018 - 11:03 AM

Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, IL 1/2/18:
 

Wheaton Metra station still closed in the wake of November fire

 

 

Wheaton officials are hoping to reopen portions of the downtown Metra station by the end of the month if insurance inspectors allow the city to make temporary fixes to the building that was damaged in a November fire.

 

Those inspectors could deliver a structural analysis to the city by the end of this week or early next to determine whether areas of the station can be occupied even temporarily.

 

SNIP

 

Trains continue to operate at the downtown Wheaton stop on the Union Pacific West Line. Some Metra riders have been waiting for trains in two portable warming shelters the transit agency set up on the inbound platform on the south side of the depot.

 

Continue here w/photo of warming shelters.



#6 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 08 November 2018 - 09:50 AM

WLS-TV Chicago, IL 11/7/18:
 

Wheaton Metra station fully reopens nearly 1 year after fire

 

 

WHEATON, Ill. (WLS) -- Wheaton's Metra station fully re-opened Wednesday morning for the first time since a fire almost a year ago.

SNIP

The restoration involved gutting the restrooms along with electrical and plumbing work. Wheaton said the work was covered by insurance. The city only paid $50,000 deductible.

 

More here w/video report.






1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users