TACOMA, Wash. — Investigators said today they believe a spark from misaligned rail cars caused a spectacular train fire that forced the closure of a state highway in the city’s industrial area a day earlier, the Associated Press reported.
A coupler from one rail car apparently punctured the tank of another car carrying denatured alcohol, a fuel additive, Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesman Gus Melonas said. The sparks from the metal ignited the alcohol.
Shortly after the fire started yesterday afternoon, the flames rose as high as the Washington 509 overpass above the tracks in the industrial Tacoma Tideflats. Officials closed the highway and evacuated businesses within a six-block radius, and the main rail line through the area was shut down for about two hours.
The evacuation order was lifted late last night. This morning, state Transportation Department workers reopened the highway after determining that, despite some external damage, it was safe for traffic.
There were no reports of injuries.
About 30,000 gallons of alcohol spilled. An unknown amount that did not burn soaked into the ground or reached the nearby Puyallup River, said Sandy Howard, a spokeswoman for the state Ecology Department.
She said the material was considered toxic and Ecology crews were checking for any effects.
A crew noticed the fire as it was moving 20 cars of local freight in the switch yard. Workers separated the burning car from the rest of the 20-car string, which included nine tank cars, Melonas said.