The town of Callaway, Minnesota, was evacuated yesterday after a train struck a propane tanker truck and hours later caused an explosion so massive it shook the ground.
Train Struck Propane Tanker
The crash happened around 12:30 p.m. yesterday when a northbound Canadian Pacific collided with a tanker hauling 10,000 gallons of propane. The cab of the truck was separated from the tank and seven of the train’s 82 cars derailed. The crash caused the tanker to catch fire.
The truck driver was not seriously hurt. Two people in the train crew sustained non life threatening injuries.
Firefighters had been dousing the propane tank with water took keep it cool and manage the fire throughout the day. The fire was burning near another propane tank that held 9,000 gallons of fuel and firefighters were concerned about the initial fire spreading to this tank.
Ten Hours After Crash, Tank Explodes
Then, around 10:20 p.m., the burning propane tank exploded, sending a massive fireball into the sky.
Fortunately, no one was injured during the explosion.
Fire crews were able to fully extinguish the fire this morning. Cleanup is under way.
The entire town of 200 people was evacuated after the crash. The evacuation order will be lifted around noon today.
Fireball lights the sky in Callaway, Minn., after a train and truck collide: https://t.co/25mSdQttbM (Photo: AP) pic.twitter.com/WcjlrVpQkP
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) March 25, 2016
Sources:
The Duluth News Tribune
WDAY
KFGO
Valley News Live