A train car carrying toxic acid at a Nebraska railyard exploded and caught fire, leading to evacuations within a four-mile radius due to the release of “heavy toxic smoke.”
The railcar contained perchloric acid, a hazardous substance used in the production of food, drugs, biological products and explosives.
Emergency crews later contained the railcar fire that occurred on Thursday near North Platte.
The railyard where the explosion happened covers 2,850 acres (1,153 hectares) and stretches as wide as eight miles (13 km) at one point. It is considered to be the world’s largest railyard.
The exact cause of the explosion and fire remains unknown at this point.
Reports said the railcar had been stationary for at least two hours at Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard in North Platte.
Union Pacific officials said several other rail cars also caught fire, which were all contained.
Read More Here: Explosion of train carrying toxic acid causes evacuations at world’s largest railyard in Nebraska
