COLUMBUS, OHIO —
Part of a freight train derailed and caught fire in Ohio’s capital city early Wednesday, shooting flames skyward into the darkness and prompting the evacuation of a mile-wide area as firefighters and hazardous materials crews worked to determine what was burning and contain the blaze.
Norfolk Southern said it appeared about 11 cars of a southbound train derailed around 2 a.m. near Interstate 71, southeast of the Ohio State University campus. They went off the tracks north of downtown, in an industrial area blocks from residential neighborhoods.
It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the crash, how many cars caught fire or what they contained. Authorities believe the cargo included some type of alcohol that could fuel the fire, said Battalion Chief Michael Fowler, a spokesman for the Columbus fire division.
Two people who ran toward the scene before the explosion were injured but were able to take themselves to a hospital, Fowler said.
Norfolk Southern said none of its workers were hurt.
Photographer Chris Mumma said he was more than 10 miles away in New Albany when he saw the night sky brightened by a “huge illumination” that he later learned was an explosion. He said he went to the scene to take photos and saw punctures on top of the train that were spewing flames 20 to 30 feet high. He also noticed an odd odor.
“I noticed there was a chemical smell, and I was inhaling it so I backed up a little bit more because I wasn’t sure what I was getting involved with,” he said. Mumma said it made him so nauseous that he ended up at the hospital.
Fowler said a site at the state fairgrounds was set up to help about 100 evacuees.
As daylight broke, Fowler said authorities would have a better picture of the fire scene to determine whether they’d try to extinguish the blaze or simply let it burn out.
Norfolk Southern said two locomotives and three of the train’s 98 freight cars were safely removed from the scene.
National News
July 11, 2012
Ohio freight train derails, causing fiery blast
- National News
-
-
Huge tornado hits Oklahoma City suburb, kills 51
A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were killed, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise.
Continued ... - 10 Things to Know for Tuesday
- VIDEO: Tumblr sold to Yahoo! for $1.1 billion
- LIVE BLOG: Massive tornado hits south of OKC
- Police: School near OKC directly hit by tornado
- What you need to know about preparing for tornadoes
- VIDEO: How technology helps predict tornadoes
- Arias trial wraps for day, continues Tuesday
- Senators require fingerprinting at 30 airports
- Split-second choice ended with NY student dead
- 'Trek’ does $70.6M but falls short of studio hopes
- 10 Things to Know for Monday
- Taylor Swift wins 8 trophies at Billboard Awards
- May 19, 2013
- AP CEO calls records seizure unconstitutional
- Obama exhorts good deeds by Morehouse graduates
-
Huge tornado hits Oklahoma City suburb, kills 51
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
AP CEO: Records Seizure 'Unconstitutional'
Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
