Orange Line tracks catch on fire - right under an Orange Line train

The MBTA has to reset its "It's been __ days since last T disaster" signs now that a track fire erupted under a train at the Malden/Medford line shortly after 3 p.m., forcing its passengers to evacuate on the tracks and shutting down the entire line from Community College to Oak Grove just as rush hour was about to start.

Kim Vanderbeck has videos and a running description of her sudden status as an Orange Line refugee:

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been on the @MBTA when it caught on fire and had to walk the tracks in Malden and climb through a hole they cut in the fence.

Liz Double-U reports overhearing an urgent message from an MBTA bus dispatcher while riding a 93 bus in Charlestown:

Heard call for all operators pulling out to please advise and redirect for emergency shuttle service...

The T is tweeting that shuttle buses are on the way but at 4:05 p.m., FrettyDavis reported:

Not one shuttle bus at Sullivan Station. But lots of angry people.

Three minutes later, Spiffs Queer Adventures reported from Community College:

Easily over 100 people and have only seen one shuttle bus in about a half hour. So glad we’re paying so much for this garbage service.

Kyle is also among the hordes at Community College:

There is not a single MBTA employee at community college. We are getting directions from a homeless man to where the shuttles are

The fire also halted service on the neighboring Haverhill Line.

Trisha F. watched the evacuees coming off the tracks:

She reports:

It's called Jerry's Gate in Medford off Medford Street. It's behind a mini mall. It' where the train stopped and the passengers evacuated.

Corey, one of the people caught waiting for a shuttle bus, sighs:

The salt in the wound is I brought home some killer potato salad from work that’s gonna get gross in this heat. @MBTA you bastards owe me some potato salad, dammit!

Snoe replies:

I have a backpack full of over ripe bananas from the office that I am taking home to make muffins. I'm sure everyone on this shuttle bus is real happy with the smell...

Mister Jon joins the food mopers:

I have 4 pints of Ben & Jerry's ice cream...

Civil_War_MBTA sums it up:

Mother,

It has gone from bad to worse. I believe this is the last time I will write to you. The track fires on the #orangeline has left all of us trapped in the city. There is no escape. There is no hope. I will send you my monthly pass as there are no refunds.