(The Associated Press circulated the following story on March 26.)
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — A train engine derailed and caught fire Friday afternoon, closing Georgia Highway 60 indefinitely. No injuries were reported.
Hall County Fire Department spokeswoman Rhonda Smith said eight cars, including the engine, of a CSX Railroad train derailed. There were 51 cars on the train. Firefighters were still trying to douse the blaze at 4:26 p.m.
“They are presently working on containment,” Smith said.
Authorities were still trying to determine the cause, she said.
The cars were carrying concrete and steel, Smith said, adding there were no hazardous materials.
The railroad track runs alongside Highway 60, but Smith did not yet know whether the road had been damaged. Although the highway was closed indefinitely, Smith said there are many alternate routes for commuters.
“They might be a little inconvenienced,” she said.