CN Train Causes Fire Near Kamloops Airport

Last year it was the fire as a result of the head on collision in Prince George, now this.

This is pretty scary given the extreme fire hazard we are in right now. And with several fires burning to the west, on the north side of Kamloops Lake, above the CN mainline, I hope CN was able to deal with the car in question.

http://www.cfjctv.com/news_details.php?n_id=2729

Train Causes Fires Near Airport July 30th, 2009

The Kamloops Airport has been partially reopened after a series of fires this afternoon along Ord Road and Tranquille caused by a passing train. The fires broke out shortly before 2 PM, causing a series of spot fires. Airport Manager Fred Legace says the airport was partly open again shortly after 3. For a time, the fires were burning close to a number of homes and businesses, but nothing apparently was structurally damaged. A number of people were out of their homes for a time, and Ord Road was totally blocked off as was Tranquille Road from Ord to the Red Lake Road. That traffic closure has now been partially rescinded, but the road is still closed in some areas. Fire Inspector Sheldon Guertin says the fire at its worst was 3 kilometers in length. Two helicopters and air tankers were also involved, and Guertin says there were 20 Kamloops firefighters on scene, assisted by forestry crews. At this point, it would appear the fire has been at least partly contained, but there are indications it will continue to burn in some areas for at least a couple of days before it’s fully extinguished. One caller to our newsroom said he saw the train passing by as it was heading out of town, and there was a lot of flame shooting out the side of one of the wheel areas. At first, he said he thought the train was on fire.

Pictures, I want to see some pictures!

Yeah a sticking brake will do that…

Perhaps the crew got carried away setting off fireworks celebrating the upcoming retirement of Hunter.

Film at 11.

We don’t get CFJC here [:(]

I hope you guys get some rain up there soon, as my wife and I will be visiting Kelowna in the not-too-distant future…

[(-D][(-D][bow]

AgentKid

Hey Brian,

Hope it cools down a bit before you come out. Even here on the coast it has been too hot for my taste. All 7 days this week will be over 30C (86F) in Nanaimo, which is supposed to be a first for us. On Wednesday it was 37C (98.6 ºF), the hottest day I can remember. Yuck! I’d rather sleep in my bed than on it.

Kamloops was the Canada hot spot yesterday and there is only minimal relief in site for the foreseeable future for all of southern BC, including the Okanagan. Make sure you have a room with good AC!

Local radio reported that the fire was “baby sat” by the Kamloops Fire Department overnight, with no issues. So far no word from CN. As the R/W for CN and CP is Federally regulated, I wonder what responsibility they have for this type of incident?