NS Derailment in Columbus

[justalurker66]

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Eleven of 98 cars on a train have derailed near Fields Avenue in North Columbus. During the derailment, there was an explosion and fire. Two cars remain on fire. The trains were carrying denatured alcohol.

One-hundred people have been evacuated in about an one-mile radius around the fire. Those evacuees are being taken to the Rhodes Center at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. The evacuation zone stretches from East 5th Avenue on the south, to East 11th Avenue on the north, Fields Avenue on the east and North 4th Street on the west.

http://www.abc6onyourside.com/shared/ne ... 8455.shtml

[Mike77E9]

Does anyone know what the symbol of the train was? Thoughts with the crew of the train and the residents of Columbus.

[The EGE]

No injuries among the train crew, and I've seen no indication that the loco derailed. Two were injured when they were investigating the wreck and the second explosion occurred; it's not mentioned whether they were police officers or just bystanders.

Either way, it's a damn good thing the explosion was limited to three cars, and that it occurred at night at this time of year. The site (near Fields Avenue) is less than a mile from both the Ohio State University Campus and the State Fairgrounds.

News story with video: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/artic ... News_links

[Mike Doughney]

A photographer climbed up onto a covered hopper a few car lengths from the fire, and ended up in the hospital. I've seen some mention of the obvious trespassing issue in newspaper comment threads (not at this particular site).

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/ju ... ery-blast/

Photographer Chris Mumma said he was more than 10 miles away in New Albany when he saw the night sky brightened by a "huge illumination" that he later learned was an explosion. He said he went to the scene to take photos and saw punctures on top of the train that were spewing flames 20 to 30 feet high. He also noticed an odd odor.

"I noticed there was a chemical smell, and I was inhaling it so I backed up a little bit more because I wasn't sure what I was getting involved with," he said. Mumma said it made him so nauseous that he ended up at the hospital.

[Steve F45]

ABC news has a video from a resident who filmed one of the tankers exploding. Incredible footage.

[lvrr325]

I've seen news photographers do some super questionable things, it's not surprising.