Runaway Train Carrying 180 Cars Derails in California, Hazmat Teams Respond

What is going on here?

Reports broke Monday that a runaway train carrying 180 cars derailed near Kelso, California.

According to reports, the train roared down the tracks at about 80mph and had nobody on it as the crew jumped off the locomotive.

The unmanned train was in the Mojave National Preserve and heading towards Barstow when it derailed.

The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District said the derailed train was hauling iron ore and caught fire.

Two locomotives and 55 cars derailed during the incident.

🚨#BREAKING: Multiple Agencies are responding to a Runaway train carrying 180 cars heading 80mph with no one on it⁰⁰📌#Kelso | #California

Currently, numerous law enforcement, Hazmat teams, and other agencies are responding to a Runaway train carrying 180 train cars heading… pic.twitter.com/J2vMtVTBqE

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 27, 2023

⚠️ Kelso, CA Police have confirmed the runaway train has CRASHED near the town.

**Hazmat is on scene.

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 27, 2023

” #SBCoFD enroute to RAILCAR INCIDENT near KelbakerRd and KelsoCimaRd. Reported multi-car derailment, all cargo, NO passengers. Engine and HazMat companies responding,” San Bernardino County Fire tweeted.

KELSO: #SBCoFD enroute to RAILCAR INCIDENT near KelbakerRd and KelsoCimaRd. Reported multi-car derailment, all cargo, NO passengers. Engine and HazMat companies responding. ^eas

— San Bernardino County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) March 27, 2023

San Bernardino County Fire posted a picture of the derailed train.

Kelso(Update/Final): Total of 55 cars derailed including two locomotives. Minor fuel leak from one locomotive being addressed by HazMat personnel. No current threat to public or environment. @UnionPacific is lead agency and point of contact for media. pic.twitter.com/6BFgIsTe40

— San Bernardino County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) March 27, 2023

The Los Angeles Times reported:

A runaway train with no passengers derailed in San Bernardino on Monday morning, catching fire, according to authorities.

The train carrying cars of iron ore — the raw material used to make steel — derailed near Kelso, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District and fire department radio transmissions.

Fire engines and a hazardous materials team are responding, according to the government agency. The fire department confirmed around 11:20 a.m. that the fire was out, and that there were no injuries and no active threat to the area.

“It did derail and it is on fire. Carrying 180 cars of iron ore,” said a man on the San Bernardino County fire and rescue radio channel more than an hour earlier. Another fire employee said there was a fire “under the first locomotive.”

The department was sending water tenders to the scene to help battle the blaze caused by the derailment. But soon after the reports of fire, law enforcement at the scene confirmed there was no longer a fire and many of the fire trucks called to the scene were sent to other assignments.

The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District said it was on the scene with representatives from Union Pacific railroad company.

Union Pacific told The Times that the southbound train crashed around 8:30 a.m. Pacific time, with 55 cars and two locomotives derailing. The train was in the Mojave National Preserve, east of Barstow.

“Investigators are looking for the cause of a UP derailment of 2 locomotives and 55 iron ore-loaded railcars in the @MojaveNPS. No hazardous materials were involved; no one was injured. The San Bernardino County Fire Dept. said there was no threat to the public or environment,” Union Pacific said Monday evening.

Investigators are looking for the cause of a UP derailment of 2 locomotives and 55 iron ore-loaded railcars in the @MojaveNPS. No hazardous materials were involved; no one was injured. The San Bernardino County Fire Dept. said there was no threat to the public or environment. pic.twitter.com/FJXDzldtjb

— Union Pacific (@UnionPacific) March 28, 2023

WATCH:

In other train derailments, a train hauling hazardous materials derailed in North Dakota Sunday.

BREAKING: Train Hauling Hazardous Materials Derails in North Dakota