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(Image source: Facebook / Parkland County)
BY BRIANA ALTERGOTT
Emergency responders are battling a massive fire after a train in Canada carrying oil
and gas derailed Friday night in Alberta.
Alberta officials have declared a local state of emergency as firefighters work to put out
the giant blaze. They say 13 cars came off the tracks around 1 a.m. (Via CBC)
Three of those cars are reportedly leaking and up in flames, and officials say there
is a very high risk of explosions. Nine cars were carrying crude oil, and four contained
liquid petroleum. (Via Facebook / Parkland County)
No injuries have been reported, but local residents near the scene have been evacuated.
"There is a major risk for the area, so we are rerouting traffic and keeping people far,
far away from that area." (Via CTV)
This is the third Canadian National Railway train accident since late September. Earlier
this week, a train carrying anhydrous ammonia went off the tracks, and another train leaked
lube oil when it derailed on Sept. 25. (Via Global News)
Transportation of crude oil by railway in Canada has been under scrutiny after a train
derailed and exploded in Quebec in July. The horrific accident claimed the lives of 49
people. (Via ABC)
The Canadian government reportedly started requiring tests to be conducted on crude oil
before moving it into the country. The crude oil the train was transporting back in July
was apparently more explosive than its label indicated.