Early Friday morning, a train derailed in North Dakota, causing several cars carrying hazardous materials to catch fire. The incident occurred in the small town of Bordulac, approximately 140 miles northeast of Fargo. Emergency Management Director Andrew Kirking reported that between 25 and 30 cars derailed, with the train carrying intact hazardous materials.
The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality identified the hazardous materials as anhydrous ammonia, sulfur, and methanol. Anhydrous ammonia, commonly used as a nitrogen-based fertilizer, can be extremely dangerous, potentially causing explosions, dehydration, and severe burns in humans.
Authorities have been monitoring air quality near the derailment site due to the presence of hazardous materials. Local crews, including Carrington Fire and regional hazardous material officials, along with Canadian Pacific, responded to the scene to address the situation.
Efforts are underway to extinguish the fires within the next 12 to 18 hours, with a focus on removing the train cars, which may take more than a week or two. Residents within a one-mile radius were notified of the incident and advised to consider a voluntary evacuation.
The cause of the derailment is under investigation, with the engineer and conductor safely escaping the train. While it is too early to determine if any hazardous material has leaked into waterways, precautions are being taken to prevent pollution. Environmental measures are being implemented to contain any potential spillage around the railroad tracks.
The National Transportation Safety Board has initiated an investigation into the derailment to determine the underlying causes and contributing factors.
