In a follow-up to yesterday’s report of a fiery crude oil train derailment in Casselton, North Dakota which sent flames and smoke skyward, the town is now urged to evacuate.
The Cass County sheriff’s office issued a voluntary evacuation for the entire town Monday evening as a precaution due to an anticipated shift in weather that would blow smoke and fumes from the blaze directly into the town, creating a health hazard. Officials estimated that approximately 65 percent of the town’s 2,400 residents had already left the area last night and a shelter has been set up at a middle school in Fargo which is about 25 miles away.
The North Dakota Department of Health has advised any residents who haven’t evacuated who have respiratory conditions to stay indoors unless they are told to leave town and anyone experiencing symptoms of respiratory distress should see a doctor immediately.
Cass County Sheriff Paul Laney said at a news briefing that the weather change forecasted by the National Weather Service would “put the plume right over the top of Casselton.”
BNSF Railway Company says it believes about 20 cars caught fire after its oil train left the tracks about 2:30 p.m. Monday. The sheriff’s office says it thinks 10 cars were on fire. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Four or five cars were still burning as darkness fell Monday, according to Casselton fire officials and authorities said they would be allowed to burn out.
Sheriff’s department Sgt. Tara Morris said it could take up to 12 hours before authorities could get close to the fire. About 80 of the 106 cars in the train were moved from the site. Jeff Zent, spokesman for Governor Jack Dalrymple said the National Guard was on alert if needed.
Temperatures were forecast to drop to minus 20 in Cass County overnight. “Of course, Mother Nature, being North Dakota, it has to be one of the coldest nights of the year. It’s deadly cold out there tonight,” Laney said. Mayor Ed McConnell said he didn’t want any residents sleeping in their vehicles. “All the experts say it can be a hazardous situation to their health,” McConnell said. “We’re going to try to get everybody out of the town.”
You can read my original report here: https://fggam.org/trains-collide-derail-in-north-dakota/
