July 19th, 2012 | 
Author: COLUMBUS, OHIO — A Norfolk Southern freight train derailed and burst into flames in Columbus, Ohio, early on Wednesday, July 11, forcing residents in the vicinity to evacuate, authorities said.
A southbound Norfolk Southern train hauling highly flammable ethanol derailed and burst into flames in a spectacular train wreck in Columbus, OH on July 11, 2012.
The train was traveling from Chicago to North Carolina when it derailed at about 2 a.m. EDT, said Norfolk Southern spokesman Dave Pidgeon.
Map showing location of Norfolk Southern train derailment and explosion in Columbus, OH on July 11, 2012 at a curve in the tracks just west of I-71 near the Ohio State Fairgrounds.
Columbus Assistant Fire Chief, Dave Whiting, told the media that 10 cars derailed and about three ruptured. The 98-car Norfolk Southern train had two locomotives and was carrying ethanol. Fire officials said they were letting the bio-fuel burn itself out.
“It’s contained, it’s not spreading,” Whiting said. “It’s doing exactly what we want it to do. We haven’t had to put anybody in harm’s way.”
The fire was extinguished early Thursday morning, July 12, 2012 so the fire was burning for about 24 hours.
According to local media, two people were injured and drove themselves to nearby hospitals. Their conditions were unknown.
Authorities said that the train was traveling below the recommended speed (speed going into the curve was not a factor).
“In an investigation of this sort, we try to look at everything, but at this point, the speed was where it was supposed to be coming into the curve, and there were no apparent anomalies that the crew noticed coming up on that curve,” NTSB member Earl Weener said late Wednesday.”
The incident remains under investigation at this time.
Sources:
ABC News
Reuters
Bloomberg News
Posted by FELA lawyer Gordon & Elias, LLP
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