Freight train derails, catches fire near US-Mexico border causing road closures

The Arizona Department of Transportation announced Friday that a fire broke out on a freight train, shutting down a nearby interstate.

Arizona Department of Transportation: “I-40 EB is closed at milepost 357 due to a train derailment in New Mexico.” wrote on social media platform. “Expect delays and seek alternative routes. No date has been set for when the freeway will reopen.”

The train was carrying gasoline and odorless propane at the time of the derailment near Hock, Arizona, but no injuries were reported. new mexico state police.

Emergency crews were also called to the scene to prevent the fire from spreading.

The cause of the derailment is unknown, and BNSF Railway notes that it is investigating. Associated Press reported.

“We are closely monitoring the train derailment near the New Mexico-Arizona border, especially for potential contamination from leaked hazardous materials,” said U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansberry (DN). .M.) said. I wrote to X.

Social media users say they witnessed the incident, one of them being User X write“I was really surprised to see fiery flames shooting up into the sky out of nowhere.”

Friday’s derailment comes just over a year after a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, releasing vinyl chloride, a dangerous chemical, into the area. The high-profile case for railroads is just one of at least 29 he has reported since 1968 in which derailments released toxic chemicals.