News & Reviews News Wire News photos: Fire destroys buildings at Amtrak’s Beech Grove shops (updated)

News photos: Fire destroys buildings at Amtrak’s Beech Grove shops (updated)

By David Lassen | May 2, 2021

| Last updated on May 3, 2021

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Buildings on fire next to Amtrak locomotive
Two buildings were destroyed by an early morning fire at Amtrak’s Beech Grove shops. (Indianapolis Fire Department, via Facebook)
Fire truck spraying water on burning building with passenger cars in background
The Indianapolis Fire Department reported problems in finding a water source to fight the fire. (Indianapolis Fire Department via Facebook)

BEECH GROVE, Ind. — Two structures at Amtrak’s Beech Grove Heavy Maintenance Facility, used to store paint and cleaning supplies, were destroyed by an early morning fire on Sunday. WTHR-TV reports firefighters were called just after 12:30 a.m. and found no working fire hydrant inside the facility, forcing them to run hose lines from Emerson Avenue and use tankers to supply water. Eventually, the two corrugated structures collapsed. The fire was controlled by 2 a.m. No injuries were reported. Indianapolis Fire Department video of the incident is available here.

An Amtrak spokesman characterized the two buildings as storage sheds, and said no rail equipment was damaged and that the fire will have no impact on production at the shop. He also reports that while the hydrant nearest the fire was dry, others on the site were operable. The cause is under investigation.

— Updated at 7:30 p.m. to correct time fire was controlled. Updated Monday at 9:30 a.m. CDT with additional details from Amtrak.

Amtrak locomotive with burning building in background
One of Amtrak’s 40th anniversary heritage locomotives was next to the scene of the fire. (Indianapolis Fire Department via Facebook)

4 thoughts on “News photos: Fire destroys buildings at Amtrak’s Beech Grove shops (updated)

  1. probably time to inspect all fire systems located at the shops. This should be a time for ALL railroad repair shops to review their protocol for storage of flammables and emergency contingencies. Sorry this happened.

  2. James, I agree. All hydrants should be checked periodically. But then again, look at Amtrak’s safety record across the board.

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