A frightening scene inside a number 2 train on Friday, as an entire car was destroyed, the seats melted, and the walls charred after a bizarre early-morning fire killed the train's 36-year-old operator — another fresh blow to a workforce mourning the death of two transit workers due to the coronavirus.

The aftermath of the fatal subway fire pic.twitter.com/Rw2OALiLyy — Dan Rivoli (@danrivoli) March 27, 2020



The fire erupted around 3:15 a.m. Friday, as the northbound 2 train rolled into the station at 110th Street near Central Park North.

The conductor said he heard a loud noise when he reported the blaze.

When first responders arrived, they found the train operator, identified as Garrett Goble, on the tracks ahead of the train.

It appears he was trying to escape into the subway tunnel but was overcome by smoke. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. He had been on the job for six years.

The horrific scene recalled images from two subway bombings in 1994.

The NYPD has launched a criminal investigation.

Seventeen others were treated for minor injuries. The FDNY said five firefighters also suffered minor injuries.

Police and MTA officials said the conductor and an off-duty conductor, who was on the train as a passenger, helped riders off the burning train and out of the station.

Firefighters evacuated another northbound train that had pulled up in the tunnel behind the burning train. Passengers and the crew were led to safety through an emergency exit.

Police said the fire may be connected to two other fires in the subway, at the 86th and 96th Street stations at about the same time Friday morning, and to a fire on the street near 116th Street.

Sources said a burned shopping cart was found inside the charred train car.

The MTA is putting up $50,000 for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone who may be responsible for this deadly fire.