Would-Be Bandits Set N.Y. Subway Booth Afire

NEW YORK —  As a clerk struggled to read their illegible holdup note, three would-be robbers splashed a South Bronx subway token booth with gasoline early today and set it ablaze, sparking a two-alarm fire that damaged much of the station.

The clerk suffered smoke inhalation in the 12:50 a.m. attack but escaped with the help of police and a subway rider, said Al O’Leary, a spokesman for the transit police.

The clerk, a woman whose name was not disclosed, was taken to Jacobi Hospital for treatment.

The three attackers fled empty-handed and there were no arrests but a special transit police squad opened an investigation, O’Leary said.

Power to the 600-volt third rail was cut, and subway service was suspended in both directions along two heavily used Bronx lines.

The clerk told police that one of three young men handed her a note, which she assumed was a demand for money but was unable to read.

She said she pushed the note back through the booth’s money slot and before she had a chance to react, the two other men splashed the booth with gasoline and set it ablaze, police said.

It took 70 firefighters more than 30 minutes to control the blaze.