KXXV-TV News Channel 25 - Central Texas News and Weather for Waco, Temple, Killeen | Train derails, bursts into flames

Train derails, bursts into flames

by Lauren Keeffe & Patrick Tolbert

OAKWOOD - Emergency crews were called out to a train derailment just after 4:00 a.m. to the Union Pacific track parallel to Highway 79 near Keechi Creek just south of Oakwood in Leon County.

Three locomotives burned while the lead locomotive, carrying the crew, ended up in the water. Four flatbed cars carrying shipping containers also burned. In all, 8 cars and all four locomotives ended up off the track.

Diesel fuel spilled into the water but has been contained by emergency workers.

Firefighters on the scene report the trestle was burning as the train came around a bend in the tracks. They say the area is being treated as a crime scene.

The are is heavily wooded and also marshy, which proved difficult for firefighters to access the area.

Oakwood, Flynn and Jewitt volunteer fire departments were on the scene battling the massive blaze.

The derailed train had four locomotives and was carrying 50 cars from Laredo to Illinois.  The cargo included auto parts, gaskets, soap, bricks and small shipments of mixed freight.  The only thing that could be considered hazardous would be the shipment of automotive airbags.

We have a crew on the scene and will continue bring you information as soon as it becomes available.