US oil train derails

[High Dyke]

Press reports of a freight train derailment and subsequent fire in the US.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25556061

Wagons from a mile-long train carrying crude oil have burst into flames as they derailed after a collision in the US state of North Dakota.

A plume of thick black smoke could be seen many miles away and explosions were heard.

No injuries were reported, but officials are urging people from the nearby town of Casselton - some 2,300 people - to evacuate as a precaution.

 

[harry42]

With a bit of luck, there will be no injuries at all.

 

[jamesontheroad]

No injuries reported. I'm a few hundred miles away in Minnesota, and we were in Fargo a few hours before this incident. It's a very sparsely populated area, unlike the recent disaster in Quebec, so there is that to be thankful for. It is, however, very cold right now: -25 to -30° C before windchill, so a very difficult environment for firefighters and recovery operations.