Passengers on a subway in Washington DC filling with smoke waited for nearly an hour before emergency responders arrived, says a city report.
One woman died and 83 people were brought to hospital after an electrical malfunction, causing hundreds to evacuate L'Enfant Plaza station.
At least two passengers are planning to sue the train operator for negligence.
The Washington Metro system serves a population of five million, including transport to nearby states.
It is the US's second busiest mass transit system after New York.
More than $14,000 (£9,223) had been raised online by Thursday afternoon to cover funeral costs for the deceased passenger, Carol Glover.
A preliminary timeline report released by the city administrator confirmed 27 minutes elapsed between the first report of smoke and when passengers were still asking emergency services if help was coming. It came another 24 minutes later.
"Those people should not have been trapped like rats in a subway car filling with smoke," the lawyer representing the claimants, Kim Brooks-Rodney, told reporters on Thursday.
"Something broke down and we're going to find out what it is."
Some passengers left the train as it filled with smoke The report also said the ambulance did not take Ms Glover to hospital until more than an hour after the smoke was first reported.
Her family has said they are not rushing to judgement but want to wait on the investigation.
Passengers on the train described train cars filling with smoke after the train stopped shortly
One said the train's operator told passengers the problem was temporary and the train would be moving back into the station.
Smoke filled the train cars as passengers waited for a half-hour for help Many passengers finally decided to evacuate on their own with some reaching the station just as responders were entering the tunnel.
"We were not given any information that police or fire were en route, or nearby," said Luis Clemens, who left the train.
Washington Metro smoke help delays
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