Russian and western news media report that a fire today in the metro in Moscow has caused thousands of people to be evacuated and the mass transit system to shut down. 52 people were injured and 11 hospitalised. The fire is alleged to have been caused by a high voltage cable. It was reported at 08:20 during the morning rush hour. Fire-fighters managed to extinguish the fire by 09:05 but the red line was closed causing major delays for commuters. Shortly after re-opening, smoke was seen again and the system shut down with another mass evacuation.

Specially designed water spray and water mist systems can be used to protect train tunnels. The Madrid metro has water mist systems in the trains and the Channel tunnel has four water mist extinguishing zones.