Nebraska Railyard Explosion: A shipping container exploded in Nebraska, causing shockwaves in a large railyard. One chemical caused the fire, emitting toxic smoke.
At noon, chaos erupted in a train’s container at Union Pacific Bailey Yard in North Platte. Robynn Tysver from Union Pacific said the explosion’s cause was unknown. There were no injuries; trains continued on intended routes.
Bad things happened quickly and were very bad. Residents near the railyard’s western edge were quickly relocated due to smoke. Between North Platte and Hershey, Highway 30 was blocked, but I-80 was unaffected. The number of homes to be demolished in this rural area still needs to be discovered. North Platte is about 230 miles east of Denver and 250 miles west of Omaha. Approx. 23,000 residents.
By 5:30 p.m. that Thursday, the train put out the fires. The North Platte Fire Department urged evacuation due to “toxic smoke” at the railyard. No fire personnel were present to provide more info.
Tysver says the hazardous cargo was perchloric acid, a versatile chemical used in explosives, food, and drug production. Before the blast, the train car that was hit the hardest had been stationary for hours.
Joanna Le Moine, deputy head of the Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency, emphasized the importance of monitoring the situation and weather to find the source of smoke, prioritizing safety for rescuers and the public.
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The blast happened in a considerable railyard, 8 miles long and covering 2,850 acres. People can view railcars sorted along Union Pacific’s route from a new tower.
Eyewitnesses described a scary moment: a giant fireball followed by endless flames and sparks. Two smoke clouds were at the explosion site: one dark and dangerous to the east and the other orange to the west.
Thanks to the blast location and wind direction, Union Pacific continued operations and train activities despite toxic smoke. Kristen South from Union Pacific confirmed the railyard is fully operational after the fire was put out on Thursday.
It raises concerns about railroad safety, especially after a recent train crash and fire in eastern Ohio. Due to the event, people had to evacuate, prompting calls for changes.
Sarah Taylor Sulick, an agency spokeswoman, said the National Transportation Safety Board monitors the situation, but no investigation has started. The FRA is monitoring Union Pacific’s response to the blast at the railyard.