Washington DC commuters faced delays on 5 May, after a track fire closed the Capitol South and Federal Center SW metro stations. Federal Center SW station was evacuated following the explosion and fire in the latest incident to hit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

A station CCTV camera caught the incident, showing sparks, followed by a fiery explosion on the tracks.

The metrorail service has since been restored after the incident closed two stations on the line. Service on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines between Eastern Market and LEnfant Plaza returned to normal on 6 May.

Metro said new third-rail equipment was installed overnight at the Federal Center SW station.