06 February 2014, News Wires – A train carrying gas condensate derailed in Russia sparking a large fire and prompting evacuations of hundreds of local residents, according to reports.
The Associated Press quoted Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry as saying 32 cars loaded with gas condensate had derailed and about a dozen caught fire. There were no injuries reported.
The accident occurred Wednesday morning at a railway station in the city of Kirov, about 800 kilometres north-east of Moscow, the AP said.
A massive fire reportedly engulfed a large area around the station and about 700 residents were evacuated.
Hundred emergency personnel worked to fight the blaze. It was not clear if it had been fully extinguished.
Safety in the transportation of hydrocarbons by rail has come into sharp focus in North America where there have been a number of major derailments and spills in the past several months.
– Upstream
