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Train engine fire
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Carol Broeder/Range News Smoke rises from a fire in the third engine of a Union Pacific train last Wednesday. The fire east of Willcox was caused by a fuel leak that occurred when a high-pressure fuel line broke loose, said Union Pacific spokesman John Bromley. |
By CAROL BROEDER/Arizona Range News
A Union Pacific train caught fire near Willcox last Wednesday. No one was injured.
A locomotive, third from the front, was fully engulfed in flame by 2:20 p.m., said John Bromley, director of public affairs for Union Pacific Railroad.
The train was stopped near milepost 351, just off Interstate 10, east of Willcox.
Both the state and city Departments of Public Safety responded.
The City of Willcox Fire Department responded to assist Willcox Rural Fire Department with water and foam, said Patti Ackerson-Rodriguez, the city's assistant fire chief.
She said the fire was out within 10 or 15 minutes once the power to the engine was killed and the fuel shut off.
Earl Humphries, with Willcox Rural Fire Department, said that while the primary battery to the main engine was shut off, it was later discovered there was still a power feed coming from the front engines that run underneath the train.
He said Willcox Rural worked about five hours, which included putting the fire out, cool down, inspecting the train, and escorting it through town.
The burned engine was thoroughly inspected while awaiting another engine to pull it to Tucson where it could be repaired, Humphries said.
"Union Pacific was very helpful," he said. "We really appreciate the city fire department for helping us with the water and foam."
Bromley said the fire was caused by a fuel leak from a high-pressure fuel line that had broken loose. The locomotive is now in Tucson for repairs, he said.
The fire was extinguished by 3:15 p.m., Bromley said.
No one was injured.
A locomotive, third from the front, was fully engulfed in flame by 2:20 p.m., said John Bromley, director of public affairs for Union Pacific Railroad.
The train was stopped near milepost 351, just off Interstate 10, east of Willcox.
Both the state and city Departments of Public Safety responded.
The City of Willcox Fire Department responded to assist Willcox Rural Fire Department with water and foam, said Patti Ackerson-Rodriguez, the city's assistant fire chief.
She said the fire was out within 10 or 15 minutes once the power to the engine was killed and the fuel shut off.
Earl Humphries, with Willcox Rural Fire Department, said that while the primary battery to the main engine was shut off, it was later discovered there was still a power feed coming from the front engines that run underneath the train.
He said Willcox Rural worked about five hours, which included putting the fire out, cool down, inspecting the train, and escorting it through town.
The burned engine was thoroughly inspected while awaiting another engine to pull it to Tucson where it could be repaired, Humphries said.
"Union Pacific was very helpful," he said. "We really appreciate the city fire department for helping us with the water and foam."
Bromley said the fire was caused by a fuel leak from a high-pressure fuel line that had broken loose. The locomotive is now in Tucson for repairs, he said.
The fire was extinguished by 3:15 p.m., Bromley said.
No one was injured.
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