CN Derailment In Prince George

By 250 News

One locomotive in flames, another ,to the left of photo ,is off the tracks as flames shoot into the air (photo Opinion250 staff)  

Prince George emergency services have been on scene since  about 10:30 this morning to deal with a  CN derailment  across from Paddle Wheel Park.

Two locomotives, a  flat bed, gas tanker car ( which is now venting), a  diesel tanker, along with two  cars carrying lumber  in flames after  the locomotives and flat deck  jumped the tracks and slid  down the bank towards the Fraser River.   It is not yet clear if there was a collision with a northbound train or if the locomotive off the rails was in the middle of the line of rail cars.

A  water bomber has now dumped three loads of water on the  fire, dousing a small forest fire that was sparked by the  burning  rail cars and their cargo.  The water bomber was not able to douse the  flames on the  rail cars, but the P.G. Airport pumper truck is now on scene and is applying  fire supressing  foam  on the  bruning cars.

(photo at left shows  derailment scene is directly across from gazebo at Paddle Wheel Park  photo opinion250.staff)

When the derailment first occurred, emergency personnel asked residents on Farrel Street to evacuate their homes.  Some have left the area, and a half mile safety perimeter had been set up.

Deputy Fire Chief John Lane says all CN employees who were on the train at the time have been accounted for and no one was injured.

There had been some diesel spill, but it was burning off and is not expected to cause any damage to the Fraser River.  Environment officials from the Province and the Federal government are on scene.  Transport Canada has arrived to investigate the incident .

The thick black plume of smoke could be seen for miles. 

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