Train carrying oil tankers collides with an 18-wheeler in central Texas, sparking a massive explosion – but the driver and conductor both survive without major injuries
- The crash unfolded at around 6.45am Tuesday near Highway 190 outside Cameron, Texas
- The train was carrying oil tankers that exploded on impact with the semi-truck
- The explosion sparked a massive fire that burned down at least one home near the train tracks
- Both the train conductor and the truck driver survived without major injuries
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A train collided with an 18-wheeler in central Texas on Tuesday morning, causing a massive explosion.
The crash unfolded at around 6.45am outside the town of Cameron near Highway 190, about an hour northeast of Austin.
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) train was carrying oil tankers that exploded on impact with the semi-truck, sparking a fire that burned down at least one home near the tracks, Cameron police said.
Both the train conductor and the truck driver survived without major injuries.
The Department of Public Safety said the truck hit the side of the train and was deflected. A BSNF official said the cause of the collision is still under investigation.
A train collided with an 18-wheeler in central Texas on Tuesday morning, causing a massive explosion
The crash unfolded at around 6.45am outside the town of Cameron near Highway 190, about an hour northeast of Austin. Stunning photos and videos from the scene showed a dark plume of smoke billowing out of the inferno
Milam County Sheriff Chris White provided an update on the investigation at the scene just before 10am.
He said the crash was initially labeled a ‘hazmat situation’ because the train was carrying hazardous materials – including a sulfuric acid tank.
But investigators determined that the cars with those materials were unaffected in the crash ‘by the grace of God’, White said. He added that a team had already gone in to move the materials away from the blaze.
Homes in the area were evacuated and authorities urged the public to steer clear of the highway as they continue working to bring the fire under control.
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, including the Cameron Volunteer Fire Department, Temple and Rosebud fire departments and the DPS.
White said BSNF crisis teams were on their way from Houston and Dallas as well.
The BNSF train was carrying oil tankers that exploded on impact with the semi-truck, sparking a fire that burned down at least one home near the tracks, Cameron police said. Multiple law enforcement agencies are pictured at the crash site
A driver passing on the highway captured astounding footage of the blaze rising from the explosion site
BNSF Railways Senior Director of External Communications Courtney Wallace said 13 train cars carrying petroleum, coal and rocks were derailed in the crash, out of 110 cars total.
‘There were no injuries to the crew or truck driver. Local first responders and BNSF personnel are onsite to respond to the incident,’ Wallace told Fox News.
‘Out of an abundance of caution, local authorities have established a half-mile radius evacuation zone near the site. The cause is under investigation.’
Citing initial reports, Wallace said five train cars carrying liquid petroleum caught fire.
Local TV station KXXV reported that the blaze was still too hot for first responders to approach roughly two hours after the explosion.
The first responders were said to be waiting for the flames to die down before stepping in to subdue them directly with flame-retardant foam.
Stunning photos and videos from the scene showed a dark plume of smoke billowing out of the inferno.
Milam County Sheriff Chris White recorded video of smoke rising out of a roadway as he approached the crash site
Homes in the area were evacuated and authorities urged the public to steer clear of the highway