Reports of smoke briefly close three MTA stations in Baltimore

Maryland Transit Administration stations at the Shot Tower, Johns Hopkins and Charles Center were briefly closed Thursday afternoon in Baltimore while authorities investigated "reports of smoke."

Roman Clark, a spokesman with the city's Fire Department, said a conductor reported seeing sparks and called firefighters as a precautionary measure. He said service was stopped so firefighters could walk through the tunnel, but they did not find a fire.

There were no reports of injuries, according to the Associated Press.

Dave Clark, an MTA spokesman, said service between Charles Street Station and the Shot Tower was stopped while the agency completed its own safety check, after the Fire Department cleared the area.

A bus service was set up to shuttle riders between Johns Hopkins and Lexington Market until service was restored, about 4:30 p.m.