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Emergency crews responded shortly after 1 a.m. after authorities
received calls reporting explosions along Interstate 80 west of
Cheyenne, according to a statement from Laramie County Fire
District #10.
"The ruptured pipeline ignited in close proximity to rail cars
carrying hazardous materials, placing responders and the
surrounding area at heightened risk," the statement said.
“Importantly, no injuries or fatalities occurred, and no large
hazardous material releases posed a threat to the public.”
Firefighters had the flames under control as of 9 a.m.,
officials said. Aerial photos from the scene showed Union
Pacific freight cars still upright but blackened as crews mopped
up the fire around the tracks.
The train was halted around 2 a.m. when it came within about 40
feet (12 meters) of the fire on the ruptured Kinder Morgan
pipeline, Union Pacific spokesperson Kristen South said in an
email. No cars derailed and the railroad was working with fire
officials to determine if any track repairs were necessary,
South said.
An email was sent to the energy infrastructure company Kinder
Morgan seeking additional details about the rupture on its
pipeline.
The glow from the fire could be seen as far away as Loveland,
Colorado, according to media reports.
The National Transportation Safety Board said its investigators
were expected to arrive at the site Monday morning.
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