30 train cars derailed Friday evening in Moore, Oklahoma, on Southwest 34th Street just east of Interstate 35.
According to KFOR, “Oklahoma City Hazmat has been called to assist with cleanup for unknown substance leaking from the train cars.”
Oklahoma City Fire also responded to the scene.
“Moore Police, Fire and hazmat crews are currently working a train derailment on S. 34th at the tracks; east of I-35. Staging area will be on S. 34th St. west of the tracks. No planned evacuations, no injuries reported and no chemical release is currently identified. We continue to assess community impact and are awaiting BNSF officials to arrive,” the Moore Police Department wrote on Facebook.
“SW 34th will remain closed from the SE Connection to Eastern; allowing only neighborhood traffic, while BNSF clears the scene of a derailed train. This could take several days and we ask for your patience as well as use of good judgement by not approaching the train, the tracks, or any railroad property,” The City of Moore wrote.
SW 34th will remain closed from the SE Connection to Eastern; allowing only local traffic, until BNSF clears the scene. This could take several days and we ask for your patience as well as use of good judgement by not approaching the train, the tracks, or any railroad property. pic.twitter.com/EXgSBixw9Z
— City of Moore (@cityofmoore) August 19, 2023
Footage of the wreckage:
Moore Oklahoma PD: Police, Fire and hazmat crews are currently working a train derailment on S. 34th at the tracks; east of I-35. Staging area will be on S. 34th St. west of the tracks.
No planned evacuations, no injuries reported and no chemical release is currently identified. pic.twitter.com/HcvsTgHbmG
— 𝗕𝗼𝗯𝗯𝘆: 𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗡 Ɇ₵ⱠɆ₵₮ł₵ 🙏 🇺🇸 (@eclectictalk) August 18, 2023
MOORE, Oklahoma
A train has derailed in Moore near SW 34th St and east side of I-35, blocking the intersection.
The rails at the site of the derailment are mangled. Oklahoma City Hazmat has been called to assist with cleanup for unknown substance leaking from the train cars.… pic.twitter.com/RNrJZvabWp
— ᖇᗝᗝᔕᗴᐯᗴᒪ丅 丅ᗴᖇᖇᎥᗴᖇᔕ (@RTerriers) August 19, 2023
KFOR reports:
Hazmat believes the spilled substance as polypropylene—non-toxic, solid plastic beads. The train was also transporting a few crude oil cars, but those cars remained upright and did not spill.
A total of 12 cars are on their sides, with a up to 30 total cars estimated to be off the tracks.
The Heartland Flyer AMTRAK passenger train, which travels along the same set of tracks connecting Oklahoma City to Fort Worth, will not be able to pass through due to the derailment.
“My office is monitoring the situation on the ground following a train derailment in Moore. Please follow all guidance from local officials as they work to assess and clear the area,” said Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt.
My office is monitoring the situation on the ground following a train derailment in Moore.
Please follow all guidance from local officials as they work to assess and clear the area. @cityofmoore @MoorePolice
— Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) August 19, 2023
FOX 25 added:
Multiple crews are still working to find out what caused this. The Moore fire chief says it’s the first derailment in Moore since the 1970s.
“Our officers and fire [crews] responded,” Moore Police Chief Todd Gibson said. “We contained the scene, immediately identified there were several cars derailed. It was quite a chaotic scene blocking traffic.”
Officials say 30 train cars derailed in Moore Friday evening.
“This is a bad situation, but we’re very blessed that it’s not any worse than it is,” Moore Fire Chief Greg Herbster said. “We have no plumes, we have no evacuations and we have no citizens in danger at this time.”
No one was injured, but first responders found dry, bulk plastic leaking.
“Nothing dangerous, nothing hazardous and we’ll continue to monitor the entire scene until we get it cleaned up.
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!