Two towns in the US state of West Virginia have been evacuated after a freight train carrying crude oil derailed and burst into flames.
A freight train carrying crude oil has derailed and burst into flames in West Virginia. Photo: SUPPLIED / Kanawha County Department
The train was on route from North Dakota to Yorktown in Virginia when the derailment took place.
Residents of Adena Village and Boomer were urged to evacuate.
The blaze sent huge flames and black smoke into the air and set a partially frozen river alight.
At least 14 of the train's cars were affected and one plunged into the Kanawha River, state officials said.
There were also reports a train car crashed into a house.
There were no initial reports of fatalities.
Rail company CSX said in a statement that one person was being treated for potential inhalation, but no other injuries were reported.
Darrin McGuffin, about a quarter-mile from the scene, told the BBC the fire was still out of control late in the afternoon.
He estimated about half a mile of the river was burning.
- BBC
