Toxic Freight Derailed; 250 Flee Fumes

VALENTINE, Ariz. — A 70-car freight train carrying cyanide and other highly toxic materials derailed, exploded and burned early Monday, releasing fumes that killed cattle and birds and forced evacuation of three western Arizona towns.

Mohave County sheriff’s Lt. Clark Morrell said there were no human casualties from the 5 a.m. derailment, but about 250 persons in Valentine, Hackberry and Truxton fled their homes.

Santa Fe Railroad spokesman Tom Buckley said in Los Angeles that two of the 27 derailed Chicago-to-San Francisco cars carried containers of cyanide, alcohol, formaldehyde, sulfuric acid and ammonia.

“At this time, we have no idea why this happened,” Buckley said.

Morrell said the “extremely hot” flames that swept through 25 of the cars were allowed to burn out because of fears the cyanide would seep into the ground and contaminate the water supply if water was used on the fire.

“It is so hot it has melted the rails and some of the wheels off the train,” he said.

By late afternoon, he said, the fire had “died down some,” and added that “things are pretty well under control.”

Evacuated residents were expected to be allowed to return home by early today, he said.