MANILA, Philippines - Smoke emanating from underneath a coach of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) disrupted operations of the nation’s biggest overhead railway Saturday morning, reports said.

A GMA Flash Report said the train was on its way to Cubao station from the GMA-Kamuning station in Quezon City at about 9 a.m. when the incident happened, causing panic-stricken passengers to empty the coaches.

Initial reports indicate that the smoke came from the driver’s cabin – which in turn has been returned to the depot.

Transportation Assistant Secretary Reynaldo Berroyo, in charge of MRT operations, said the cause of the fire was still under investigation.

Nonetheless, he said the incident only shows the need for the MRT to dedicate time to the repair and maintenance of the railway.

Earlier this week, the MRT administration announced that it was offering a 24-hour service to the public to serve those who need to go to work or who are going home late in the night.

However, the schedule was changed to 4 a.m. to 12 midnight to allow for maintenance work. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV