The small town of Callaway, was rocked by a fiery train derailment that occurred on March 25th, 2021. The BNSF Railway train was carrying ethanol, a highly flammable liquid, which caused a massive fireball to erupt when the train derailed.
Thankfully, nobody was injured in the accident, but the town was evacuated as a precaution. After three days, the evacuation order was lifted, and residents were allowed to return to their homes.
Let's take a closer look at the details of the derailment and its aftermath.
The Derailment
The BNSF Railway train was carrying 106 cars of ethanol when it derailed, causing a massive explosion and fire. The accident occurred around 5:30 p.m. on March 25th, in a rural area near Callaway.
According to local officials, the derailment was caused by a broken axle on one of the train's cars. The train was traveling at 50 miles per hour at the time of the accident.
The derailment caused a massive fireball that could be seen for miles around. The heat from the fire was so intense that it melted the steel tracks and caused the train to sink into the ground.
The Evacuation
As a precaution, the entire town of Callaway was evacuated following the derailment. The evacuation order was issued around 7:00 p.m. on March 25th, and residents were told to leave their homes immediately.
Many residents were taken to nearby hotels or stayed with family and friends. The Red Cross also set up a shelter for those who needed it.
The evacuation lasted for three days, during which time local officials worked to contain the fire and clean up the wreckage. The evacuation order was lifted on March 28th, and residents were allowed to return to their homes.
The Aftermath
The aftermath of the derailment was significant. The fire burned for several days, and local officials had to work around the clock to contain it. The fire also caused significant damage to the surrounding environment.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the fire caused ethanol to leak into nearby wetlands and a creek. The agency has been working to clean up the spill and monitor the situation.
The cleanup effort is expected to take several weeks or even months to complete. Local officials are urging residents to be patient and to stay away from the area until it is safe to return.
The derailment and subsequent fire in Callaway, Minnesota, was a significant event that caused widespread damage and disruption. Thankfully, nobody was injured in the accident, and the town has begun the process of cleaning up and rebuilding>
It serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures when transporting hazardous materials and the need for emergency response plans in the event of an accident.
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