This looks very bad. Way too many explosions so far this year, of one kind or another.
Train carrying flammable liquid derails, bursts into flames in Canada
By the CNN staff
July 6, 2013 -- Updated 1310 GMT (2110 HKT)
(CNN) -- A train pulling over 70 tankers of crude oil derailed and burst into flames in Canada early Saturday near the U.S. border.
It jumped the tracks in the small town of Lac-Meganic in the province of Quebec, according to officials in Maine, who received a request for help at around 3 a.m. ET.
The inferno spread to nearby homes, and authorities evacuated the center of town and a home for the elderly, CNN affiliate Radio-Canada reported. Thick fuel spilled into the Chaudiere River.
Firefighters from both countries rushed to fight the blaze with at least 27 firefighting vehicles.
Five of the trucks deployed from the United States, after the sheriff's office in Franklin County, Maine, issued an "all call" for help to U.S. fire departments near the border.
Flames welling up stories high into the night sky were caught on camera and uploaded to Youtube. The video appears to reveal an explosion. Thick black smoke billowed into the air.
A "nauseating" odor spread through the town, Radio-Canada reported, and environmental emergency services dispatched a mobile lab to check for airborne toxins.
The radio station said that the oil shipment was on its way to the United States.
There's a video showing the blaze on the link...
edition.cnn.com/2013/07/06/world/america...index.html?hpt=hp_t2
Another article on this tragedy.
Maine crews assist in massive train fire in Canada
(NEWS CENTER) -- Crews from Franklin County are in Canada after a train accident in the town of Lac Megantic, Quebec happened at 1:00am Saturday.
A Franklin County dispatcher said tankers on a 73-car train were filled with crude oil and caught fire after the train derailed. Montreal, Maine, and Atlantic Railway company owns the train. Radio Canada, a CNN affiliate, says the train was heading towards Maine.
Radio Canada reports the fire has spread to many residences and has created a dense smoke that has a nauseating smell. Fuel also spilled into the Chaudiere River.
More than five firefighting vehicles from US cities have been sent to Lac Megantic, including one from Farmington and one from Eustis, both supplied with Class A foam - a substance used to save buildings from extensive fire damage.
It is not known if there are any injuries at this point. Surrounding towns have been evacuated. Radio Canada says Quebec Police have established a security perimeter to keep residents safe and away from the scene.
www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=248834
Hoping for the safe escape of all in that vicinity.
(Sorry for long title - must not have picked up properly to clipboard).
