Train Derails, Bridge Partially Collapses In Arizona

Train Derails, Bridge Partially Collapses In Arizona

Wednesday, July 29th 2020, 10:26 am

By: CBS News


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A train derailed and was in flames Wednesday morning on a bridge in Arizona that partially collapsed, CBS affiliate KPHO-TV reports. It wasn't immediately clear what caused the fire or derailment. 

Union Pacific said the freight train derailed around 6:15 a.m. local time and that eight to 10 rail cars were on fire. It said the south side of the bridge, which extends over Tempe Town Lake near Phoenix, collapsed, and rail cars fell into an empty park below.

"Three tank cars were on the ground under the bridge. Two contained cyclohexanone; one contained a rubber material. None are reported leaking, and no tank cars were involved in the fire," Union Pacific said in a statement.

It said the train's crew was not hurt, but one person at a park was treated for smoke inhalation. It also said the bridge received its annual inspection on July 9 and that the cause of the derailment is being investigated. 

According to KPHO, at least one burning train car was reportedly carrying lumber, some of which went into the lake below.

"I turned around to look and got the fright of my life," said Camille Kimball, who was riding her bike under the bridge just before it collapsed. "Now there's fire pouring into the lake from the middle of the bridge. ... It looks like a scene from hell, truly. A scene from hell. ... The flames are intense and the sky is filled with black smoke."





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