Another example of what could happen in Richmond if we continue to be Bakken Crude depot.
West Virginia train derailment causes massive fire, evacuations
By Ryan Parker contact the reporter
Train derailment in West Virginia causes massive fire
A train derailment Monday afternoon in West Virginia caused multiple explosions and a massive fire, officials said.
At least one home near the derailment in Fayette County caught fire and has been destroyed, according to Lawrence Messina, the state's public safety spokesman.
The derailment happened about 1:20 p.m. Eastern time, Messina said. Three hours later, the fire was still burning, he said.
Raw video from the train derailment and fire.
The CSX train was hauling crude oil, which is leaking from at least one of the cars, Messina said. There are no reported injuries, he said.
"Our concern is oil is leaking into the Kanawha River," he said. Two water intakes downstream from the treatment plant have been shut down, he said.
CSX acknowledged that the company was aware of the situation. "We are working with first responders on the scene to ensure the safety of the community," it said on Twitter.
Some of the tanker cars exploded, and oil on a portion of the river is on fire, according to the office of Kanawha County Emergency Management & Floodplain Management, which was assisting in the response.
Kanawha County is downriver from Fayette County.
Adena Village, near the derailment, has been evacuated, and authorities were beginning to evacuate homes across the river from the fire about 4:30 p.m., Messina said. At least 100 people have been evacuated, he said.
Fayette County is about 60 miles southeast of Charleston.
Fire Department confirmed were of the scene, showed fire engulfing the train.
Heavy snow is falling in the area, but Messina said it is unclear if that will help extinguish the fire.
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Mayor Tom Butt
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
Phone: 510.231-7502
Mobile: 510-220-1577
Fax: 510.232.5325
E-mail: tom.butt@intres.com
Tom Butt Political Website: http://www.tombutt.com/
Board of Directors, Past Chair, Local Government Commission
League of California Cities Environmental Quality Policy Committee
Alternate, Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)
Alternate, San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC)
West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee (WCCTAC) City of Richmond Representative
Contra Costa Transportation Authority Commissioner
Marin Energy Authority Board Richmond Representative
East Bay Regional Park District Liaison Committee Richmond Representative
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