NEW YORK (CBS New York) — The quick-witted security guards who sprung into action to put out a fire on a subway train received top honors on Friday.

The MTA has recognized security guards who put out a fire Wednesday morning in a Subway 1 train car at the 181st Street station in Washington Heights.

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“It’s amazing. I thank God for just helping me,” said security guard Marcel Langhorn.

The MTA says it started in a small shopping cart full of clothes and a propane tank.

The runners had alerted officers to the flames. They work for a private security company hired by the MTA.

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“We were at the platform deck when two ladies came in and they were like, ‘Oh, there’s a fire! There’s a fire over there! said Langhorn.

These officers sprang into action with the water bottles they had, throwing water on the flames, then stomping to put them out.

“The team’s quick thinking helped prevent a much more dangerous situation for our passengers, potentially saving lives,” said Craig Cipriano, acting president of NYC Transit.

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A third officer called 911 while their supervisor helped ensure passenger safety.

This is just one of many recent subway fires.

Last Friday morning, another fire broke out on a 1 train as it headed for 18th Street station in Chelsea. The firefighters extinguished it.

The MTA is grateful that no one was injured in either fire and that there was no repeat of two years ago when a train operator was killed when A 2 train caught fire near Central Park North station.

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As for Wednesday’s case, police believe the suspect may be homeless.

“There is no doubt, we all see it. You know, there is homelessness in our system. We have problems with emotionally disturbed people. What I would say is that the subway system is no place for our most vulnerable homeless population,” Cipriano said.

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They hope the new administration can help them.