CPKC train carrying hazardous materials derails, catches fire in North Dakota (updated)

CPKC train carrying hazardous materials derails, catches fire in North Dakota (updated)

By Trains Staff | July 5, 2024

Emergency response ongoing after early-morning incident

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CPKC logoCARRINGTON, N.D. — Multiple cars of a CPKC train carrying hazardous materials derailed and caught fire early today (July 5) in east-central North Dakota.

The Associated Press reports that 29 cars derailed, including cars carrying anhydrous ammonia, sulfur, and methanol, according to an official from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. Wind was blowing the smoke away from the nearest town, Bordulac, which has about 20 residents.

CPKC said in a statement to Trains News Wire that it has “initiated its emergency response plan and launched a comprehensive, coordinated response” to the derailment about 3:30 a.m. about 10 miles southeast of Carrington. “Crews, including senior officers from our operations and hazardous materials teams, are responding to assess the situation. We are coordinating with local emergency response officials already on scene. The train is carrying hazardous materials. There is a fire at the scene. There are no reports of injuries. The safety of the public and emergency responders is CPKC’s first priority.”

Photos posted to X.com show a number of burning tank cars straddling the single-track main line. No information is currently available on the type of material involved.

The derailment site is on CPKC’s Carrington Subdivision, about 105 miles northwest of Fargo.

— Updated at 2:16 p.m. with additional information.

4 thoughts on “CPKC train carrying hazardous materials derails, catches fire in North Dakota (updated)

  1. “The derailment site is near Bordulac, N.C., on CPKC’s Carrington Subdivision, about 50 miles northwest of Fargo.”

    When you update the story, please update the mileage. Bordulac how many apples is 139 miles northwest of Fargo by highway.

    1. When did they move Bordulac to North Carolina?? I miss the days when individuals checked their work!!

    2. Sounds more like So Cal…it may be 50 miles as the crow flies, but it’s 139 miles if the crow has to use the roads?

    3. Anton – It varies in a few places, but for much of North Dakota it is flat enough that you can beat the crow because you don’t need to get up to altitude first.

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