Operations & Training

Evacuations Remain after Fiery Derailment near New Mexico-Arizona Border

April 28, 2024

The train was carrying gasoline and non-odor propane when it went off the rails and caught fire forcing the closure of an interstate and evacuations.

Firehouse.com News

Evacuations have been reduced in the area of a train derailment and fire near the New Mexico-Arizona border.

The train was carrying gasoline and non-odor propane when it went off the rails near Gallup, NM on Friday forcing the closure of a section of I-40 and the evacuation of residents in a two-mile radius, KOAT reported.

On Sunday morning, McKinley County Fire Chief Lawrence Montoya released a statement updating the situation.

"As of 4:03 a.m, propane gas continues to burn at the site is derailment. A large number of heavy machinery is on site and being utilized to remove debris, whereas firefighter and Hazard-Mat personnel protect the area from any release of hazardous materials and control fire growth and development.

BNSF operations is (sic) working alongside first responder teams to safely extinguish the burning train car material and contents. After analysis of existing conditions, unified command has determined that there is no longer a threat of explosion. Constant air quality tests are being performed around the site and current conditions do not indicate any concern for the quality of air. The 2-mile evacuation area has now been reduced to 1-mile from the derailment site in any direction."

Firefighters initially didn't try to extinguish the fire. "That decision regarding the fire was made in an effort to safely mitigate existing conditions," Montoya said.

There were no reported injuries.

Amtrak passengers are stuck in Albuquerque desperately trying to find hotels.

Montoya said a multi-agency Incident command post has been in operation since the derailment occurred.

More information is expected to be released later Sunday.