Train Carrying Hazardous Materials Derails and Catches Fire in North Dakota

A train derailed in a remote area of North Dakota, sparking a massive fire. The incident involved 29 rail cars of a Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) train carrying hazardous materials, which derailed in a marshy area surrounded by farmland about 140 miles northwest of Fargo.

Intense Fire and Response

Video footage from the scene depicted intense flames and thick black smoke rising into the sky. The fire burned for at least 12 hours after the initial derailment, with approximately 10 to 15 rail cars catching fire. By late afternoon, emergency responders were able to "go on the offensive" in fighting the flames and had some success in knocking the fire down.

No Injuries Reported

Thankfully, there were no injuries reported from the incident, as the engineer and conductor managed to escape safely. Moreover, the threat to nearby residents appeared to be minimal, with wind carrying the smoke away from the neighboring town of Bordulac, which has about 20 residents.

Hazardous Materials Involved

The derailed cars were transporting anhydrous ammonia, sulfur, and methanol, with ammonia posing the highest risk. Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in the air can cause severe health issues, including burning of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract, and can even lead to blindness, lung damage, or death. However, officials reassured that exposure to lower amounts would likely result in coughing and irritation of the nose and throat.

Investigation and Response

The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the derailment. CPKC, which acquired Kansas City Southern for $31 billion in 2021, has already initiated its emergency response plan and launched a comprehensive, coordinated response to the incident.

This latest derailment adds to a series of train accidents in recent years. Previously, on [date], a 70-car CPKC train hauling hazardous materials derailed in North Dakota, while a month earlier, a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in Ohio, forcing residents to evacuate due to a spill of hazardous chemicals.