Fire under a U3 train halts Berlin subway for hours in Zehlendorf

Service on Berlin's U3 subway line was interrupted for several hours on October 1, 2026 after a fire broke out beneath a train in the southwestern district of Zehlendorf. According to the BVG and the fire brigade, the blaze started under the carriage of a stationary train, filling parts of the tunnel with smoke. Passengers were safely evacuated via the platforms, and no injuries were reported. Firefighters needed considerable time to extinguish the fire because of restricted access underneath the vehicle and the risk of damage to live rails. The U3 was fully suspended between several stations in the southwest while BVG set up replacement buses, causing significant delays for commuters heading toward Krumme Lanke and the city centre. Investigators have not yet determined the cause but are examining technical defects as the most likely explanation. The affected train was taken out of service for a detailed inspection, and BVG said normal operation only resumed late in the day.