The tragic fiery murder of a sleeping straphanger in Brooklyn this week illuminated a critical flaw in the city subway system — fire extinguishers are not accessible to the public.
Fire extinguishers are readily available only to MTA workers in track tunnels and booths, the transit agency confirmed Thursday, drawing outrage from local leaders who say the woman’s death could have been prevented.
“The MTA [has] a billion-dollar operating budget. They invest millions of dollars in cameras at stations but have no money for accessible fire extinguishers?” raged Rev. Kevin McCall, who organized a vigil for the yet-to-be-identified victim Thursday.
Questions have mounted over why no one bothered to help the woman as she burned in an F train at the Coney Island station on Sunday after she was set on fire by an illegal Guatemalan immigrant in the sickening attack. Disturbing video showed bystanders, including an NYPD cop, walking right past the blazing woman.
An MTA worker ultimately snuffed out the flames, but it was too late to save her — the victim was burned beyond recognition and still has not been identified.
In the wake of the tragedy, the MTA said it does not have plans to install fire extinguishers on board trains or platforms.
https://nypost.com/2024/12/26/us-news/public-cant-access-fire-extinguishers-in-nyc-subways/
Hochul signs NY law that will charge $75B to oil, gas and coal companies for climate change — but critics say customers will pick up tab.