Key Facts
• On July 21, after 1:00 PM, smoke was seen on tracks between Hatsukari and Sasago Stations.
• A railroad tie caught fire, according to fire department reports.
• The cause remains unknown; the area recorded 36°C, the year’s highest temperature.
• Train operations resumed approximately 1.5 hours later.
• Around 2,600 passengers were affected by the disruption.
Summary
On July 21, train services on the JR Chuo Main Line were temporarily suspended between Hatsukari and Sasago Stations due to smoke rising from the tracks. Fire officials confirmed that a railroad tie had caught fire, though the cause remains undetermined. The incident occurred in Yamanashi Prefecture’s Otsuki City, which recorded a scorching 36°C, the highest temperature of the year. Services resumed after approximately 1.5 hours, impacting around 2,600 passengers.
