Spilled fuel cleaned up after train derails, catches fire in northwest Atlanta
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A train derailed Friday morning in northwest Atlanta.
It happened around 6:15 a.m. at the Howell Yard off Defoor Avenue. Atlanta Fire Rescue Department officials said eight rail cars, including the locomotive, somehow collided on the CSX property. The collision caused a fire on the locomotive, which contained 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel. Officials said 1,200 gallons burned off in the fire before firefighters could put the flames out, and 2,800 gallons of diesel fuel remained earlier on Friday. The scene was also deemed safe.
CSX officials said approximately 485 gallons of fuel were released from the locomotive.
“Some of the released fuel was consumed in the fire with the remainder spilled on the ground. Some of the diesel fuel that was released flowed from the derailment site into a nearby creek,” CSX officials said in a statement. “The spilled fuel has been fully contained.”
No injuries were reported.
The Atlanta News First Chopper was high above the scene as firefighters battled the flames.
The fire is now out but crews have still got a big mess on the tracks to deal with.
CSX released the following statement in response to the incident:
Norfolk Southern also released a statement.
On Friday night, CSX officials said recovery efforts are underway.
The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department is handling the scene.
Norfolk Southern says they are working with CSX to investigate the incident.
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