North Dakota Crude Oil Train Derails, Cars Explode, Residents Warned To Stay Inside

onDec 30, 2013 @ 15:26 PST

A train carrying crude oil from the Bakken shale derailed in Casselton, North Dakota today, with fiery results. Residents have reported multiple explosions, many have now been evacuated and others advised to shelter in place to avoid the toxic plumes of smoke enveloping the area.

ValleyNewsLive.com, the local media outlet, reports on Facebook that approximately 65% of residents have evacuated the area.

Watch footage of one of the explosions, courtesy of Dan Gunderson, recorded by KFGO listener, Darrin Radermacher:

Reuters reports that:

Local residents heard five powerful explosions just a mile outside of the small town of Casselton after a westbound 112-car train carrying soybeans derailed. An eastbound 106-car train hauling crude oil ran into it just after 2 p.m. CST, local officials said. There were no injuries in the collision that left 21 rail cars on fire, according to BNSF.

Residents within 5 miles of Casselton were urged to evacuate to avoid contact with the smoke. Residents within 10 miles were asked to remain indoors.

Here is some of the media coverage of the disaster so far:
Associated Press
ABC News
Gawker
ValleyNewsLive.com (ND)
Reuters

ValleyNewsLive.com has reporters on the scene, stay tuned for their updates via Facebook and on the website. Here is their latest report:
Valley News Live – KVLY/KXJB – Fargo/Grand Forks

Stay tuned for more details.

By Brendan DeMelle

Brendan is Executive Director of DeSmog. He is also a freelance writer and researcher specializing in media, politics, climate change and energy. His work has appeared in Vanity Fair, The Huffington Post, Grist, The Washington Times and other outlets.