CHICAGO — Firefighters helped evacuate dozens of passengers from stalled subway cars Friday after officials cut power to the track's damaged third rail.

About 100 people from five trains stuck between stops were led through the dark tunnel after power was cut to the Red Line, which runs between the city's North and South Sides. Six people were taken to hospitals with minor injuries, according to fire department spokesman Richard Rosado.

A loose part of a train had damaged a portion of the track's electrified third rail, forcing the track to be shut down for three hours while it was fixed, Chicago Transit Authority spokeswoman Sheila Gregory said. The Red Line was rerouted while the repairs were made.

Passenger Patricia Williams, 20, said she was stuck underground for more than an hour. She said a firefighter eventually led her and other passengers out onto the street via a narrow ledge.

"It was dark and really little, and if you fell, that's the end of you," she said.

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A city subway train derailed in July, sparking a fire and sending about 150 people to the hospital, mostly for smoke inhalation.