Federal investigators have launched a probe into the CN derailment and benzene fire in Mississippi, which forced evacuations and required a massive emergency response. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Federal investigators have launched a probe into the CN derailment and benzene fire in Mississippi, which forced evacuations and required a massive emergency response.

The accident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, when 13 Canadian National freight cars derailed near Glendora.

Among the derailed cars was a tank car carrying benzene, a highly flammable and toxic chemical. Flames erupted shortly after the derailment, prompting local fire departments to act quickly. Crews from 12 departments and approximately 30 fire trucks battled the blaze for over nine hours.

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Special Hazmat Equipment Deployed to Contain Toxic Fire

Because of the chemical nature of the fire, CN brought in specialized hazmat firefighting equipment. The gear used municipal water and chemical foam to finally extinguish the flames, Tallahatchie County Fire Coordinator Linnie Maples confirmed. At 11:43 p.m., officials allowed the 150 evacuated residents to safely return home.

Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a team to the site. Investigators are collecting evidence and appealing to the public for help. Anyone with video footage or eyewitness information is urged to contact witness@ntsb.gov.

Train Details Withheld as Safety Review Intensifies

CN declined to provide details about the train’s composition, origin, or destination, referring those questions to the NTSB. The agency, however, has not yet confirmed the full number of railcars involved.

Glendora lies along CN’s strategic Yazoo Subdivision between Memphis, Tennessee, and Jackson, Mississippi. The derailment has disrupted freight operations along this vital corridor.

Because the incident involved hazardous materials in a residential area, federal safety officials are expected to closely examine CN’s protocols. The investigation into the CN derailment and benzene fire in Mississippi could trigger regulatory reviews and renewed debate over the transport of dangerous chemicals by rail.

Source: www.trains.com

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