TRAIN DERAILMENT EXPLOSION-FIRE AT BOOMER BEING INVESTIGATED - Hundreds Remain In Shelters

(02/18/2015)
UPDATE - The crude oil from the wreckage of a train at Boomer, after a series of explosions, was still burning Tuesday morning.

Hundreds of residents evacuated from the area remain in shelters.

Much of the area does not have electric service, but some water company intakes have been reopened.

The CSX train with 107 tank cars of Bakken Shale crude oil from North Dakota to a terminal in Yorktown, Virginia derailed, a regular route for oil delivery.

A train carrying crude oil on the same North Dakota-Virginia route derailed in Lynchburg, Virginia in April 2014.

A 74-car train carrying the same Bakken Shale crude oil derailed in Quebec, Canada in 2013, setting off fires and explosions that killed 47 people, the subject of national media attention regarding the safety of old rail cars following numerous train derailments.

Officials said ice may have prevented further contamination of the Kanawha River.

A number of agencies are investigating.

UPDATE - Dispatchers have announced that the towns of Adena Village and Boomer are being evacuated because of a nearby train derailment, the cars carrying crude oil.

Ironically, the fire and explosion was near Boomer, the entire town was evacuated to shelters.

A resident described it as an "inferno."

At least one house has burned.

Officials said Route 61 is being shut down as a result of the derailment. A shelter is being set up at Valley High School for people who are being evacuated.

The train consisted of two locomotives and 109 rail cars.

No word on fatalities or injuries.

WED. 1:30 PM - A train derailment near Montgomery has caused explosions and fires, with nearby houses reportedly catching on fire.

The area is being evacuated and the Gov. Tomblin has activated the Emergency Response Center.

The train was carrying crude oil and several of the cars are in the river.

Montgomery and downstream river water companies have been notified to close their intakes because of oil spillage.