On Friday, a CPKC train derailed in a remote area of North Dakota, causing 29 cars carrying hazardous materials to catch fire. The incident occurred in a marshy area about 140 miles northwest of Fargo, with officials reporting no injuries and minimal threat to nearby residents. The materials being transported included anhydrous ammonia, sulfur, and methanol, with the ammonia posing the biggest risk. However, officials said that wind was carrying the smoke away from the nearby town of Bordulac, where around 20 people reside.
By late afternoon, responders were able to make progress in extinguishing the flames, with the wind helping to reduce the risks associated with the burning materials. While exposure to ammonia can cause severe health issues, officials determined that nearby residents did not need to be evacuated at that time. The cause of the derailment is still unknown, but the engineer and conductor on board the train were unharmed.
CPKC, a railroad resulting from a merger between Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern, has activated its emergency response plan and is working on a coordinated response to the incident. Despite the challenges posed by the burning rail cars, officials are working to contain the situation and minimize the environmental impact of the derailment.
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