A train derailed along the Columbia River near the city of Scappoose, Ore., today, triggering a fire that sent a plume of smoke into the air that was visible across the river in Clark County.
The fire was extinguished by 4:30 p.m., but mop-up could keep the highway between Portland and St. Helens, Ore., closed for hours.
A Vancouver Fire Department unit has been called to staff the Jantzen Beach fire station as the Portland Fire Bureau’s Engine 17 has been one of the many units called to respond.
The derailment and fire occurred about 12:55 p.m. near the intersection of St. Helens Road, also known as Highway 30, and Cornelius Pass Road.
Apparently a rail car loaded with lumber derailed into tanker cars filled with ethanol, setting off a large, hot fire. The Portland Police Bureau reported that two tankers out of 13 total were on fire.
Because of the potential for explosion caused by catastrophic failure of uninvolved tankers that are being directly impinged by fire, fire crews have withdrawn and are evacuating the area with a half mile perimeter until it is safe to return to the area.
As of 2:32 p.m., unmanned “ground turrets” and “aerial streams” were being used to cooling adjacent uninvolved tankers to prevent an explosion. Additional resources were being assembled to prevent the spread of the fire and additional harm to property and the environment.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.
All travelers on Highway 30 should expect long delays, police said.
