TORONTO - A toxic fire was blazing in chemical-filled rail cars in rural southwestern Manitoba last week morning and a thick, spreading black cloud of pollution was hugging the ground, forcing the evacuation of nearby residents and raising concern over livestock.
A 7O-car Canadian National train carrying hazardous materials burst into flames after it collided with a semi-trailer at an unprotected level crossing near the hamlet of Firdale, a 130 kilometres west of Winnipeg, late on Thursday afternoon, said Cindy Stevens, a communications officer at the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization. The fire was allowed to burn overnight out of fear of getting too close to the toxic soup being mixed as several types of chemicals burned together. Emergency teams that were rushed to the farming area were planning an assault on the fire last week morning.
The cargo contained benzene, hexane and plastic pellets, said Stevens.
No one was reported hurt, but 150 people were evacuated from the area.
"We're not sure of the environmental implications, but we're mostly afraid of the airborne damage," said Stevens.
"We're testing the air on site and keeping track of the water. The fire is so intense that we've been repelled back.":
