Brushfires delay commuter train in Newbury

By Sarah N. Mattero, Globe Correspondent

Brushfires alongside the commuter rail train tracks in Newbury delayed passengers this afternoon, police said.

Around 12:30 p.m., a train was stopped briefly while members of Newbury’s volunteer fire department put out five small fires, Newbury police dispatcher Michael Croteau said.

The train had about 20 passengers at the time of the brushfires, said Scott Farmelant, spokesman for Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad.

No further delays are expected on later trains on the Newburyport/Rockport line, Farmelant said.