Derailed oil train continues to burn in West Virginia, Its a new safer type too!

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Published on Tuesday, 17 February 2015 21:44

Written by editor

attribution: Screenshot/WCHSTVThe train carrying crude oil that derailed in West Virginia on Monday was still burning on Tuesday, disrupting life for thousands in surrounding communities. One house burned as a result of the derailment, and:
Federal Railroad Administration workers were able to get within 50 yards of the derailed cars late Tuesday morning, according to the agency. Some of the rail cars were still on fire, and local emergency responders were still in charge of the scene.

Flames also burned power lines in the area, knocking out electricity to about 900 customers. Appalachian Power spokeswoman Jeri Matheney said electricity has not yet been restored because repair crews are having trouble accessing the extent of the damage.

About 2,400 people were evacuated or displaced by the train derailment, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

If repair crews can't even get the access they need to see the damage, it seems likely those 900 customers are going to be waiting for a while. In the middle of winter. Water intake was shut down for Montgomery, a town downriver from the derailment, and the West Virginia University Institute of Technology canceled classes for the rest of the week and is moving students out of residence halls since there is no water there.

This, by the way, was a train with newer, supposedly safer, tank cars.