Blue Line trains were halted due to a possible lightning strike that hit the tracks, on Sunday. According to the Chicago Transit Authority the canopy along a pedestrian ramp collapsed at the Illinois Medical District station , located at 430 S. Damen Ave on Chicago's Near West Side, before 7 PM.

The CTA tweeted shortly after 7 PM that trains were standing at Illinois Medical District due to an obstruction and crews were working to restore service. According to the officials, the aluminum canopy fell the tracks and video of the incident showed the large sparks that ignited among the damage.

According to the Chicago Fire Department, Preliminary reports indicated that the cause of the damage was a lightning strike, but the investigation has been continuing.  authorities informed that no injuries were reported other than a nearby train was evacuated.

A spokesperson for the CTA has informed that the concrete flooring of the ramp was in place, though the extent of the damage was not discovered immediately. The length of the delay was unclear, the crews had been working hard to restore the normal operations timely for the morning commute.

According to CTA Red Line service between Belmont and Grand and Brown Line service between Southport and the Loop also remained suspended due to tree debris on the track near Armitage.

By Parkriti Neogi