North Dakota Crude Oil Train Derails, Cars Explode, Residents Warned To Stay Inside

Brendan DeMelle DeSmog
on

A train carrying crude oil from the Bakken shale derailed in Casselton, North Dakota today, with fiery results. Residents have reported multiple explosions, many have now been evacuated and others advised to shelter in place to avoid the toxic plumes of smoke enveloping the area.

ValleyNewsLive.com, the local media outlet, reports on Facebook that approximately 65% of residents have evacuated the area.

Watch footage of one of the explosions, courtesy of Dan Gunderson, recorded byย KFGO listener, Darrin Radermacher:ย 

Reuters reportsย that:

Local residents heard five powerful explosions just a mile outside of the small town of Casselton after a westbound 112-car train carrying soybeans derailed. An eastbound 106-car train hauling crude oil ran into it just after 2 p.m. CST, local officials said. There were no injuries in the collision that left 21 rail cars on fire, according to BNSF.

Residents within 5 miles of Casselton were urged to evacuate to avoid contact with the smoke. Residents within 10 miles were asked to remainย indoors.

Here is some of the media coverage of the disaster so far:ย 
Associated Press
ABC News
Gawker
ValleyNewsLive.com (ND)
Reuters

ValleyNewsLive.com has reporters on the scene, stay tuned for their updates via Facebook and on the website. Here is their latest report:ย 
Valley News Live – KVLY/KXJB – Fargo/Grand Forks

Stay tuned for moreย details.

Brendan DeMelle DeSmog
Brendan is Executive Director of DeSmog. He is also a writer focused on disinformation and corporate accountability.

Related Posts

on

As the company faces a landmark climate lawsuit, confidential documents show how British scientist James Lovelock warned executives of the risks of burning fossil fuels in the 1960s.

As the company faces a landmark climate lawsuit, confidential documents show how British scientist James Lovelock warned executives of the risks of burning fossil fuels in the 1960s.
Series: #ShellKnew
Series: #ShellKnew
on

Nigel Farageโ€™s donors include Mayfair club owners, fox hunt masters, and the landed gentry.

Nigel Farageโ€™s donors include Mayfair club owners, fox hunt masters, and the landed gentry.
Analysis
on

Little-known company Teton Digital is pushing an AI project that could release one million tonnes of annual emissions.

Little-known company Teton Digital is pushing an AI project that could release one million tonnes of annual emissions.
on

Traditional fishing grounds off-limits as government pursues high-risk gamble on gas, say experts.

Traditional fishing grounds off-limits as government pursues high-risk gamble on gas, say experts.