Train Derailment Causes Massive Fire, Partial Bridge Collapse In Arizona

A freight train derailed in Arizona on Wednesday causing a massive fire and the collapse of a bridge more than 100 years old.

Tim McMahan, a Union Pacific Railroad spokesman, said the train derailed at about 6:15 a.m. while crossing the bridge as eight to 10 cars caught fire and the bridge’s south side collapsed. The train crew was uninjured but one person was treated for smoke inhalation and no deaths have been reported, Tempe Mayor Corey Woods and police Chief Sylvia Moir said.

More than 90 firefighters were sent to the scene along with hazardous materials crews as lumber being carried on the line caught fire in the blaze. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the case. 

Bridge partially collapses near Phoenix in wake of massive fire and train derailment