Six Hospitalized After DART Train Catches Fire in Downtown Dallas

A Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) train caught fire Wednesday afternoon near the heart of Downtown Dallas, sending six individuals to the hospital and halting train service in the area during the height of rush hour.

The fire reportedly began around 3:30 p.m. on July 30, 2025, as the train emerged from a tunnel near the intersection of Ross Avenue and North Central Expressway near the Pearl/Arts District Station. Officials say the blaze originated on the roof of one of the train cars and may have been caused by a malfunction involving the pantograph, the component that connects the train to overhead power lines.

Roughly 40 passengers were safely evacuated from the affected train, with firefighters and emergency personnel arriving quickly on the scene. In total, Dallas Fire-Rescue deployed seven rescue units to assist. 15 passengers were assessed for injuries at the scene, and 6 were transported to the hospital for symptoms including difficulty breathing, anxiety, and burns.

At the time of the incident, five DART trains, including the one with the fire, were in the tunnel system. All passengers from the other four trains were safely evacuated. Aerial footage of the scene captured significant fire damage to multiple train cars, as well as numerous emergency vehicles on site.

Passenger Herbert Hillman described the chaos as smoke quickly filled the train car. “When the fire started, you heard the spark and saw the flash,” he said. “At that moment a lot of things did run through my mind, just thinking about safety first, leading with safety first.” Hillman called 911 and helped fellow passengers evacuate before recording footage of the burning train.

Nearby worker Mario Aldrete recalled seeing thick smoke and hearing loud noises as passengers fled the scene. “It sounded like a bunch of gunshots going off,” he said.

The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, though officials believe it was likely accidental. Service through Downtown Dallas has been temporarily suspended, and riders are being redirected to alternative transportation amid ongoing delays.

A Broader Concern: Are Train Incidents on the Rise?

While this incident is still under investigation, it highlights a growing concern over railway safety. Train fires, derailments, and other transit-related accidents—whether due to mechanical failure, infrastructure issues, or human error—can pose serious risks to passengers and the public. Thorough maintenance, prompt emergency response, and stringent oversight across transit systems are critical to preserving passenger and worker safety.

According to the National Safety Council, U.S. railroad deaths reached a 16-year high in 2023 at a total of 995. That same year, nonfatal train-related injuries increased by 3% from the previous year with 6,705. Overall, nonfatal railroad injuries have steadily decreased over the past decade and a half, but fatalities have gone up.

At Arnold & Itkin, we believe that even one railroad injury or death is one too many. Following this incident in Downtown Dallas, our thoughts are with the six injured people and their families, as well as all those affected by this traumatic experience.