On Friday, a train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a remote area of North Dakota, sparking a fire that burned for hours. This incident has heightened concerns about railroad safety, following a series of recent train derailments in the U.S.
Twenty-nine cars of a Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) train derailed around 3:45 a.m. in a marshy area near Bordulac, a town of about 20 residents. Emergency responders arrived to a scene of intense flames and billowing black smoke.
Initially, it was unclear how many of the derailed cars had caught fire, but Andrew Kirking, emergency management director for Foster County, later estimated that 10 to 15 cars were ablaze. The fire burned for at least 12 hours after the initial derailment.
North Dakota Train Derailment: Hazardous Materials Ignited, Raising Concerns
By late afternoon, responders had made progress in battling the flames and had "some success knocking the fire down," according to Kirking. Officials were able to utilize water sources on both sides of the tracks to assist in firefighting efforts.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the two train crew members escaped safely. The threat to nearby residents was deemed minimal, as wind conditions were blowing the smoke away from the town.
North Dakota Train Derailment: Hazardous Materials Ignited, Raising Concerns
The exact cause of the derailment remains under investigation. The cars were carrying anhydrous ammonia, sulfur, and methanol, with ammonia posing the most significant risk. Bill Suess, spill investigation program manager for the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, expressed concern about the potential hazards of ammonia exposure.
Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in the air can cause severe irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract. In extreme cases, it can lead to blindness, lung damage, or even death. Lower concentrations can result in coughing and irritation.
North Dakota Train Derailment: Hazardous Materials Ignited, Raising Concerns
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into the derailment. CPKC has also launched a comprehensive emergency response plan and is cooperating with authorities.
This incident marks the latest in a string of train derailments in the U.S., prompting concerns about railroad safety. Just two weeks prior, a freight train derailed in Matteson, Illinois, prompting evacuations due to a leaking car containing liquefied petroleum gas.
North Dakota Train Derailment: Hazardous Materials Ignited, Raising Concerns
In March 2023, another CPKC train carrying hazardous materials derailed in North Dakota, about a mile southeast of Wyndmere. No injuries were reported, but some cars carrying hazardous materials derailed.
Last year, a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, spilling hydrogen chloride and phosgene into the air, forcing residents to evacuate.
These recent incidents have brought into sharp focus the need for enhanced safety measures on railroads. The NTSB and other agencies are investigating the causes of these derailments and working to identify ways to prevent future accidents.
