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Investigation into deadly Metro incident

Colleen Kelleher | ckelleher@wtop.com

January 13, 2015, 6:20 AM

This photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board shows damage from the arcing incident in the tunnel near L'Enfant Plaza Station Monday. (Courtesy NTSB)
This photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board shows damage from the arcing incident in the tunnel near L’Enfant Plaza Station Monday. (Courtesy NTSB)
Courtesy NTSB
This photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board shows damage from the arcing incident in the tunnel near L'Enfant Plaza Station Monday. (Courtesy NTSB)
This photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board shows damage from the arcing incident in the tunnel near L’Enfant Plaza Station Monday. (Courtesy NTSB)
Courtesy NTSB
Firefighters begin to remove cones from the scene after people were evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Firefighters begin to remove cones from the scene after people were evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
A man with a tie that says "Police Line Do Not Cross" waits in a triage line after being evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
A man with a tie that says “Police Line Do Not Cross” waits in a triage line after being evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Officers secure the entrance to LÂ’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, following an evacuation. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Officers secure the entrance to LÂ’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, following an evacuation. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
A firefighter sets up a triage area as people are evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
A firefighter sets up a triage area as people are evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Metro Transit Police officers secure the entrance to LÂ’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Metro Transit Police officers secure the entrance to LÂ’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Metro Transit Police officers secure the entrance to LÂ’'Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, following an evacuation. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Metro Transit Police officers secure the entrance to LÂ’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, following an evacuation. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
A man coughs and spits as he is evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
A man coughs and spits as he is evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
An FBI Medic, center, helps people onto a bus after they were evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
An FBI Medic, center, helps people onto a bus after they were evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Coughing people are taken onto a bus as they are evacuated from a smoke filled Metro train Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Coughing people are taken onto a bus as they are evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
A woman coughs hard as she and another woman walk past an evacuation of people from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
A woman coughs hard as she and another woman walk past an evacuation of people from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Coughing people are sorted for triage needs after being evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Coughing people are sorted for triage needs after being evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
A firefighter attends people on a bus to assess triage needs after people were evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
A firefighter attends people on a bus to assess triage needs after people were evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Reynaldo Hernandez holds a cloth over his smoke covered face as he coughs deeply after being evacuated from a smoke filled metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Reynaldo Hernandez holds a cloth over his smoke covered face as he coughs deeply after being evacuated from a smoke filled metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Metro Transit Police officers, secure the entrance to LÂ’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Metro Transit Police officers, secure the entrance to LÂ’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Metro Transit Police officers, secure the entrance to LÂ’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Metro Transit Police officers, secure the entrance to LÂ’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
A Metro Transit Police officer walks up the escalator at LÂ’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, following an evacuation. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
A Metro Transit Police officer walks up the escalator at LÂ’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, following an evacuation. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
People walk past an exit to the L'Enfant Metro stop, with the U.S. Capitol in the background, after smoke filled the subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
People walk past an exit to the L’Enfant Metro stop, with the U.S. Capitol in the background, after smoke filled the subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
A woman is transported in a wheelchair onto an ambulance bus as people are evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
A woman is transported in a wheelchair onto an ambulance bus as people are evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
A couple holds hands as the man coughs while speaking with a firefighter after people were evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
A couple holds hands as the man coughs while speaking with a firefighter after people were evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
No Yellow Line, but all other rail lines are open to L’Enfant Plaza, Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s Kristi King reports. The Yellow operates as Blue via Rosslyn. (Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Kristi King)
Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Kristi King
A day after a tragic Metrorail incident, there weren't as many people at L'Enfant Plaza on Tuesday. (Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Nick Iannelli)
A day after a tragic Metrorail incident, there weren’t as many people at L’Enfant Plaza on Tuesday. (Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Nick Iannelli)
Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Nick Iannelli
On Monday, a Yellow Line train stopped in a tunnel not too far from the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station. An electrical problem filled the station with smoke. (Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Megan Cloherty)
On Monday, a Yellow Line train stopped in a tunnel not too far from the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station. An electrical problem filled the station with smoke. (Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Megan Cloherty)
Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Megan Cloherty
Jeff Marion (above) was on his way to Alexandria when the train he rode on filled with smoke. On Monday, a Yellow Line train stopped in a tunnel not too far from the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station. An electrical problem filled the station with smoke. (Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Megan Cloherty)
Jeff Marion (above) was on his way to Alexandria when the train he rode on filled with smoke. On Monday, a Yellow Line train stopped in a tunnel not too far from the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station. An electrical problem filled the station with smoke. (Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Megan Cloherty)
Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Megan Cloherty
On Monday, a Yellow Line train stopped in a tunnel not too far from the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station. An electrical problem filled the station with smoke. (Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Megan Cloherty)
On Monday, a Yellow Line train stopped in a tunnel not too far from the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station. An electrical problem filled the station with smoke. (Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Megan Cloherty)
Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Megan Cloherty
On Monday, a Yellow Line train stopped in a tunnel not too far from the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station. An electrical problem filled the station with smoke. (Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Megan Cloherty)
Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Megan Cloherty
(1/27)
This photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board shows damage from the arcing incident in the tunnel near L'Enfant Plaza Station Monday. (Courtesy NTSB)
This photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board shows damage from the arcing incident in the tunnel near L'Enfant Plaza Station Monday. (Courtesy NTSB)
Firefighters begin to remove cones from the scene after people were evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
A man with a tie that says "Police Line Do Not Cross" waits in a triage line after being evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Officers secure the entrance to LÂ’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, following an evacuation. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
A firefighter sets up a triage area as people are evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Metro Transit Police officers secure the entrance to LÂ’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Metro Transit Police officers secure the entrance to LÂ’'Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, following an evacuation. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
A man coughs and spits as he is evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
An FBI Medic, center, helps people onto a bus after they were evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Coughing people are taken onto a bus as they are evacuated from a smoke filled Metro train Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
A woman coughs hard as she and another woman walk past an evacuation of people from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Coughing people are sorted for triage needs after being evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
A firefighter attends people on a bus to assess triage needs after people were evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Reynaldo Hernandez holds a cloth over his smoke covered face as he coughs deeply after being evacuated from a smoke filled metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Metro Transit Police officers, secure the entrance to LÂ’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Metro Transit Police officers, secure the entrance to LÂ’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
A Metro Transit Police officer walks up the escalator at LÂ’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, following an evacuation. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
People walk past an exit to the L'Enfant Metro stop, with the U.S. Capitol in the background, after smoke filled the subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
A woman is transported in a wheelchair onto an ambulance bus as people are evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
A couple holds hands as the man coughs while speaking with a firefighter after people were evacuated from a smoke filled Metro subway tunnel in Washington, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Metro officials say one of the busiest stations in downtown Washington has been evacuated because of smoke. Authorities say the source of the smoke is unknown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
A day after a tragic Metrorail incident, there weren't as many people at L'Enfant Plaza on Tuesday. (Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Nick Iannelli)
On Monday, a Yellow Line train stopped in a tunnel not too far from the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station. An electrical problem filled the station with smoke. (Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Megan Cloherty)
Jeff Marion (above) was on his way to Alexandria when the train he rode on filled with smoke. On Monday, a Yellow Line train stopped in a tunnel not too far from the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station. An electrical problem filled the station with smoke. (Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Megan Cloherty)
On Monday, a Yellow Line train stopped in a tunnel not too far from the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station. An electrical problem filled the station with smoke. (Â鶹¹ÙÍø/Megan Cloherty)

A Metro train filled with smoke on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. One person died. More than 80 people had to be taken to hospitals. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

Colleen Kelleher

Colleen Kelleher is an award-winning journalist who has been with Â鶹¹ÙÍø since 1996. Kelleher joined Â鶹¹ÙÍø as the afternoon radio writer and night and weekend editor and made the move to Â鶹¹ÙÍø.com in 2001. Now she works early mornings as the site's Senior Digital Editor.

ckelleher@wtop.com

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