Rail car loaded with lithium batteries bursts into flames in Cajon Pass
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A rail car loaded with lithium batteries caught fire in the Cajon Pass early Wednesday, authorities said.The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District reported the fire around 3:45 a.m., writing on social media that a single rail car was burning on the tracks near Cajon Boulevard south of Swarthout Canyon Road.Hazmat crews responded, and air monitoring was conducted, the department said.A BNSF spokesperson told CBS News the train was being burglarized at the time of the fire, but the company did not return messages seeking information Thursday.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said that BNSF was handling the incident.Lithium batteries can release flammable and toxic gases as they burn, which can make fires involving them difficult to control.By 11 a.m.Wednesday, firefighters reported that the burning rail car had been isolated on a single track off the main lines to reduce the risk of fire spread.
Suppression equipment was released shortly before 3 p.m., the fire department reported.The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service, which include arbitration and a class action waiver.
You agree that we and our third-party vendors may collect and use your information, including through cookies, pixels and similar technologies, for the purposes set forth in our Privacy Policy such as personalizing your experience and ads.Follow UsAlex Wigglesworth is a reporter who covers the Inland Empire and Mojave Desert communities for the Los Angeles Times.
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