Rush hour commuters using the PATH system were forced to find a different way home last night after a track fire caused a stoppage on the rail lines.

The fire took place at the Grove Street PATH station around 6:45 p.m., according to Port Authority officials.

Service on the Newark-to-World Trade Center and Journal Square-to-33rd Street lines were shut down for 45 minutes as a result of the fire, officials said. Service was eventually restored around 7:30 p.m.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. However, an official said last night that it was possible the fire could have been started by sparks from the wheels. During the closure, New Jersey Transit cross-honored all PATH riders.