OAKLAND — A smoky fire in a stack of railroad ties in East Oakland Monday morning briefly stopped Amtrak and Union Pacific train service, officials said.
The fire started about 11:22 a.m. in the 700 block of High Street on Union Pacific Railroad property, authorities said.
Authorities said more than 200 railroad ties somehow caught fire, sending dark billows of smoke into the air that could be seen for miles.
About 20 firefighters responded to the scene.
Police closed High Street between Coliseum Way and San Leandro Street while firefighters fought the fire.
The fire forced Amtrak Capitol Corridor Train 532 to be temporarily held at the Oakland Coliseum Station and Union Pacific service was also stopped, officials said.
Fire Department spokesman Michael Hunt said the fire was brought under control at 12:08 p.m. but firefighters were expected to remain on the scene for several hours to make sure there were no flareups. No injuries were reported.
Hunt said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Check back for updates.
Staff writer George Kelly contributed to this report.