Terrified commuters flee Moscow Metro after rush hour fire Terrified commuters were forced to escape the Moscow Metro after a fire broke out in a tunnel during the morning rush hour. Authorities say more than 4,500 people had to be evacuated after a power cable caught fire sending smoke billowing through the system. The incident happened between Okhotny Ryad and Lenin Library one of the busiest lines in downtown Moscow. At least 52 people needed treatment, mostly for smoke inhalation. One commuter described what happened: We were traveling on the metro, and suddenly, I don't know, the train stopped and there was smoke. They said leave the train now, let's go, so we left. It was unbearable there, there was smoke, lots of smoke. The cause of the blaze is yet to be determined, an investigation is underway.