A massive freight train derailment, which occurred near the Arizona-New Mexico state line, has ignited a fierce blaze and caused the closure of Interstate 40, a major trucking artery, leaving travelers and truckers scrambling for detours and causing headaches for days to come. According to ABC15 Arizona, the incident happened on Friday, with footage swiftly spreading on social media showing the mangled wreckage engulfed in plumes of thick, black smoke, mercifully though, there were no reported injuries.
Officials have verified that the derailed train was hauling non-odorous propane and gasoline before several rail cars succumbed to the inferno, compelling New Mexico State Police and the Arizona Department of Public Safety to enact a full shutdown of I-40 in both directions, they redirected traffic to secondary routes, a move which resulted in tailbacks extending beyond 10 miles while New Mexico's Department of Transportation warned of longer-lasting disruptions that could strain other interstate connections such as I-25 and I-10. "It looks like they’re just letting those (rail) cars burn themselves out," New Mexico State Police Lt. Phil Vargas told ABC15 Arizona in the wake of the disaster.
Local residents and a nearby truck stop were evacuated as a safety measure, and the enormous smoke cloud raised by the fire was dispersed by winds, while BNSF Railway spokesperson Lena Kent has stated that the cause of the derailment is presently under investigation, and efforts to clear the wreckage were ongoing. Compounding the chaos, the derailment led Amtrak to cancel numerous passenger trains on the route connecting Los Angeles and Albuquerque, impacting travelers and their plans, according to a report from KTAL News.
The incident put a spotlight on the Arizona Corporation Commission, which oversees railroad safety; they stated on social media that 10 rail cars were part of the accident, with two specifically transporting liquid petroleum although they initially planned to send an inspector, they eventually discovered the crash site fell under New Mexico's jurisdiction, this details was shared by KTAL News. With the investigation continuing and cleanup efforts underway, the road remains closed and traffic diverted, signaling a period of travel disruptions ahead for the region's extensive road network.
