Problems along Metro's Red Line caused service disruptions for much of morning commute

WASHINGTON - Major service disruptions delayed Metro riders Thursday morning along portions of the transit system's Red Line.

Service was suspended for the first time around 7:30 a.m. between Dupont Circle and Gallery Place after emergency crews received reports of smoke and fire from a tunnel inside the Metro Center station.

Trains were halted for about an hour while crews investigated. Metrobuses were set up to shuttle stranded passengers to and from working lines.

Service resumed around 9 a.m. with some delays but was then again suspended while repairs were being made.

At around 10:50 a.m. service was once again restored.

The cause for the smoke and fire is still unknown at this time.