Evacuations ordered after train carrying crude oil derails north of Seattle
Crews are continuing to work on cleanup after six tanker train cars derailed in the Custer area of Whatcom County and caught fire Tuesday. No one was injured. Author: KING 5 Staff Updated: 6:58 PM PST December 23, 2020
WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. Federal investigators are assisting local authorities in investigating what caused a tanker train hauling crude oil to derail in Whatcom County Tuesday morning. There have been no reported injuries.
Cleanup continued Wednesday as crews work to clear the train cars, debris, and crude oil that leaked from the cars. Officials said it could take months to get the area fully cleaned up.
It’s unclear what caused the train cars to derail.
The derailment prompted a joint response, including the FBI, Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission, Washington State Patrol, Whatcom County Emergency Management, and local fire agencies.
The FBI issued the following statement: “Investigators are on the scene assisting local partners to determine the facts of what happened. At this point, it would be speculative to connect other events with this incident. FBI Seattle encourages anyone with knowledge of the train derailment to contact tips.fbi.gov”
Oil continued to burn in two of the tanker cars Tuesday night, but the flames were under control, according to the Whatcom Sheriff’s office.
Cause under investigation after fiery derailment of train hauling crude oil north of Seattle
Crews are continuing to work on cleanup after six tanker train cars derailed in the Custer area of Whatcom County and caught fire Tuesday. No one was injured. Author: KING 5 Staff Updated: 6:58 PM PST December 23, 2020
WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. Federal investigators are assisting local authorities in investigating what caused a tanker train hauling crude oil to derail in Whatcom County Tuesday morning. There have been no reported injuries.
Cleanup continued Wednesday as crews work to clear the train cars, debris, and crude oil that leaked from the cars. Officials said it could take months to get the area fully cleaned up.