Overview
- A Metrobus caught fire inside the 9th Street Tunnel beneath the National Mall on Thursday around 6:30 p.m., and officials reported no injuries and no passengers on board.
- D.C. Fire and EMS sent 41 units and about 125 firefighters, used foam, and stretched roughly 900 feet of hose to attack the flames, which were out by about 8 p.m.
- The tunnel stayed closed Friday morning as engineers checked wall and ceiling panels, lighting, and ventilation, and crews removed loose tiles and debris for safety.
- Investigators say the blaze likely stems from a mechanical issue, and Metro pulled buses of the same hybrid‑diesel model from service for inspections and a forensic review of maintenance records.
- Traffic agencies warned of extended closures and detours, and officials noted that fires in tunnels are rare but hard to fight because smoke builds fast in a confined space and access is limited.