A fire on an escalator at JFK Airport’s Terminal 8 caused significant smoke and led to the evacuation of nearly 1,000 passengers early Wednesday morning.

The FDNY responded to the smoke report just after 7 a.m., finding the source to be an escalator fire. Around 960 people in Concourse C were evacuated and bused to another terminal area.

Eyewitness photos and videos showed passengers gathered on the tarmac. Nine individuals were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Terminal operations have resumed, but flight operations were impacted, NBC New York 4 has reported.

The fire’s cause is under investigation, and passengers are advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport.

Written by B.C. Begley