This Article is From Oct 20, 2013

Oil-laden train derails, ignites in Canada: officials

Oil-laden train derails, ignites in Canada: officials

Smoke rises in the distance as firefighters block a highway leading to an area where a train derailed, in Gainford, Alberta west of Edmonton

Montreal: An oil-bearing train derailed and ignited in western Canada Saturday, just months after the massive Lac-Megantic catastrophe highlighted the danger of transporting fuel by rail.

Officials said the fire has not yet been contained in Gainsford, a town some 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of Edmonton, after the 13-car Canadian National train derailed.

The train carrying crude and liquid gas left the track for unknown reasons at around 1 am (0500 GMT), federal transport officials said.

Canada's transportation safety board said no one was believed injured in the accident.

Chris Krespki, a spokesman for the board, told media an investigation is underway.

In July, a train carrying crude derailed in Lac-Megantic in Quebec, setting off a huge explosion that killed 47 people and caused massive damage.       

 
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