New video shows derailed train explosion near AZ-NM border
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – New dashcam video shows the dramatic explosion after a train derailed at the New Mexico-Arizona border Friday afternoon. Officials say they don’t know what caused the explosion yet, but they do know a total of 35 train cars belonging to BNSF were involved in the crash- according to the McKinley County Fire & Rescue.
“There was a report, that initially, there was a large explosion,” explained Lawrence Montoya Jr., Fire Chief for McKinley County Fire & Rescue. “When we got on scene, you could see a large plume of smoke.”
Six of those train cars were carrying propane. As a result, much of I-40 was closed down for the last couple of days as state, county, tribal, private, and federal agencies responded.
“For Gallup and Window Rock, it’s just been massive traffic,” said New Mexican Senator George Munoz. “I mean, one trailer came unhitched in the middle of town and that just made it even worse.”
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Both lanes going east and west bound on Interstate 40 have since reopened following the derailment, and the evacuation status in the area has changed. A two-mile evacuation order was put in place just after the incident. It has since been lifted.
“We have teams working to clear the wreckage and the Debris,” said Fire Chief Montoya Jr. “We have teams that are isolating really important materials that need to be identified and examined during the course of this investigation.”
In their most recent update, officials say there are currently controlled fire happening at the location, due to leaking propane. The expect all fires to be put out by tomorrow- but it could take longer. Cleanup and a full investigation into the cause of it all will follow soon.
All trains traveling along that stretch have been rerouted or halted since the derailment. Officials say BNSF will be responsible for getting the tracks open again. Authorities are still monitoring the area, holding briefings every two to three hours with agencies involved. They stated, that right now, there isn’t any concerning air quality.
“They’ve been testing the air quality, there’s no issue with air quality,” Sen. Munoz added.
Officials say it could be a few weeks before the cleanup is totally complete.
“We ask the public to be patient and we ask them to be patient when passing through, and to be safe so that way nobody gets hurt,” Fire Chief Montoya Jr. added.
“We thank the public for their patience and will continue to post updates on the McKinley County Fire and Rescue Facebook page,” reads a release from officials.
A hotline for those affected can be reached at 1-866-243-4784.
