Western Railroad Discussion > Another BNSF car fire, evacuations

Train car catches fire; area evacuated
By The Associated Press
December 12, 2002

HIGHLANDS RANCH -- Fire officials were evacuating some residents after a train car stopped at a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad station caught fire Thursday evening.

South Metro Fire Rescue spokesman Andy Lyon said the car was filled with liquid sulphur, a skin and eye irritant, and evacuations were precautionary. He did not know how many residents were evacuated but said there are few homes in the area.

Workers using torches on the derailed car to cut it up for scrap metal accidentally ignited the liquid sulphur inside. Firefighters were working to control the blaze and planned to smother the flames with dirt.

The station is about a mile south of Highlands Ranch, an upscale Denver suburb.

> Workers using torches on the derailed car to cut it up for
> scrap metal accidentally ignited the liquid sulphur inside.

I'm no scrap metal expert, but methinks it would be wise to ensure the car is empty before chopping it up :)

Hopefully nobody gets injured in this situation.

Aaron

The car was empty and all that was inside was a residue that caught fire. It was at Big Lift yard.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/1836371/detail.html

http://www.9news.com/storyfull.asp?id=9354

Clickable links:

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/1836371/detail.html


http://www.9news.com/storyfull.asp?id=9354



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