A fire was still burning the day after a train hauling crude oil derailed south of Galena, Illinois.
Multiple cars of a 105-car train derailed Thursday afternoon, March 5, 2015. Smoke from the fire could be seen from several miles away through the evening and into the morning hours.
Galena City Administrator Mark Moran said before 10 a.m. Friday that five cars were still on fire, adding that the fire was under control. A total of 21 cars derailed.
At a press conference held at 11 a.m. it was announced that two cars were still on fire. The 21 cars that derailed remained at the wreckage site while the rest of the train headed back to North Dakota where it originated from. Other trains are being rerouted away from the tracks at the derailment.
"The scene is still an active disaster, but it is under control," Moran said Friday morning. "We have all the personnel in place and equipment in place to handle it and I don't see any immediate risk for anybody in the Galena area."
Late Friday afternoon, several departments working with the derailment announced they would re-light a breached tank car to burn in a controlled manor, according to a statement from Jo Daviess County Sheriff, Kevin Turner.
Turner said the "controlled burn" would be the safest option to ensure waterways were not contaminated.
"The breached, burning tank car is being kept cool with the application of water onto the tank car," Turner said in his statement. "However, the containment pond for the sprayed water is near its limit and an overflow of the pond creates the potential for contamination of the area waterways."
Turner explained that re-lighting the tank car would allow the remaining crude oil to burn off and protect the waterway.
A precautionary evacuation was put into place hours after the derailment occurred on Thursday according to the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Department. The evacuation area was a one-mile radius around the wreckage site. Police were also placing blockades on roadways to keep people away from the area.
One home remained evacuated at noon Friday.
The water in the area and the air was being monitored and the Federal Railroad Administration was investigating the incident.
Moran said the Claims Department was at Country Inn & Suites in Galena for area residents who incurred property damage or who needed a place to stay. If you are a resident in the area and need assistance you can call 309-335-2968.
