Smoke Cleared From Port Authority Terminal After Fire: Officials

MIDTOWN, NY — A fire caused smoke and a nasty smell to waft through part of Port Authority Bus Terminal on Thursday morning, officials and witnesses said. The small fire happened around 8 a.m. in a mechanical room in the Midtown terminal's south wing, Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman said.

The fire was put out quickly and there were no injuries, evacuations or any impact to bus operations, Coleman said.

"Due to a smoke condition in the facility, customers were directed to enter and exit the facility on 8th Avenue," Coleman said in an email. "The smoke condition has since dissipated."

The smoke created a pungent smell in the transit hub during the morning rush hour, according to Twitter posts from witnesses. One person likened the scent to "burning rubber."

The Port Authority acknowledged on Twitter that the smoke was causing "discomfort."