Train Derailment and Fire Disrupt Interstate Traffic
A freight train carrying fuel derailed and caught fire near the Arizona-New Mexico state line, leading to the closure of Interstate 40, a vital trucking route.
The fire, fueled by non-odorous propane and gasoline, was still burning as of Saturday morning, according to a public information officer from the New Mexico State Police.
Initial witnesses shared videos and images on social media showing twisted train cars and thick black smoke rising from the scene.
Authorities closed Interstate 40 in both directions, diverting traffic to alternative routes and prompting evacuations of nearby homes and a truck stop due to the spreading smoke. Local fire crews were on the scene responding to the incident.
Amtrak also had to cancel some passenger services, affecting travel between Los Angeles and Albuquerque, New Mexico, due to the derailment.
Reports indicate that traffic congestion on I-40 stretched over 10 miles, leading to the opening of detours on two-lane roads and highways. Kristine Bustos-Mihelcic, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Transportation, confirmed the situation. The agency issued a warning on Friday evening about a prolonged closure of the highway, which would divert traffic to other interstates such as I-25 and I-10.
The Arizona Corporation Commission, responsible for railroad safety, announced on social media that a derailment involving 10 rail cars occurred. Of those, two were carrying liquid petroleum. Initially, the agency intended to dispatch a railroad inspector to the scene, only to discover later that the incident took place on the New Mexico side of the tracks.
The National Transportation Security Board declared its intention to dispatch a team to investigate the occurrence.
