World · Europe · 5 hrs ago
Fire and Storm Austen Disrupt Paris RER C Service
A fire at the Musée d’Orsay substation disrupted the RER C, a train line serving Paris and surrounding areas, on Friday.
SNCF said the fire was linked to railway equipment and that staff cut power to deal with it; the company ruled out deliberate action.
The fire-related interruption was lifted, but Storm Austen kept trains disrupted across the line.
SNCF also suspended some services or limited train speeds because of expected strong winds, with some routes affected until late in the day.
Earlier, an obstacle identified as a tree stopped trains between Massy-Palaiseau and Pont de Rungis Orly, but that incident ended.
Services remained affected after the fire was handled, though the available information does not give a time for a full return to normal.
A fire at the Musée d’Orsay substation disrupted Paris RER C service on Friday, October 23, 2026.
SNCF said the fire was linked to railway equipment and ruled out an act of sabotage.
The fire led to service interruptions on sections of the line, while traffic remained disrupted elsewhere.
Storm Austen also prompted preventive suspensions and speed restrictions on parts of the network.
An earlier obstacle, reported to be a tree near Massy-Palaiseau, interrupted another section until noon.
- Who
- SNCF and SNCF Réseau managed the service disruptions. RER C passengers were affected.
- What
- A fire at a railway substation and storm-related measures disrupted RER C services.
- When
- Friday, October 23, 2026.
- Where
- On the Paris RER C, including near the Musée d’Orsay substation and on sections between Brétigny-sur-Orge, Dourdan and Étampes.
- Why
- The fire required a power cut, while storm Austen led to safety measures. An obstacle on the track also caused a separate interruption.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
An obstacle, reported to be a tree near Massy-Palaiseau, interrupted service between Massy-Palaiseau and Pont de Rungis Orly until noon.
Storm-related suspensions began between Brétigny-sur-Orge and Dourdan, and stops between Brétigny-sur-Orge and Étampes were withdrawn.
SNCF said it had cut power because of the fire at the Musée d’Orsay substation.
SNCF announced a planned resumption at 3 p.m., while warning that storm Austen continued to disrupt the line.
- Date
- October 23, 2026
- Fire location
- Musée d’Orsay substation
- Separate track obstacle
- Tree near Massy-Palaiseau
- Storm-related suspension
- Brétigny-sur-Orge to Dourdan, from 9 a.m. until the last planned train at 9:45 p.m.
- Stops withdrawn
- Brétigny-sur-Orge to Étampes, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
3 sources
What people are saying
We are in the process of containing the fire and restoring the installations
The incident is being handled 100% by SNCF Réseau
The fire forces us to cut the power supply to deal with the source of the fire