(The following story by Cathy Woodruff appeared on the Albany Times-Union website on April 21.)
COLONIE, N.Y. — Two open rail cars carrying automobile scraps destined for recycling caught fire early Friday afternoon in West Albany.
By 1:30 p.m. firefighters from the West Albany and Fuller Road departments had knocked down most of the blaze.
“It’s basically just waste metal and plastic and recycling,” said West Albany Fire Chief Victor Graves.
By the time firefighters arrived, a westbound CSX locomotive already had been detached from the train and a third car carrying more scrap, which did not catch fire, had been moved away. Firefighters climbed ladders propped against the side of the cars to pour water down into the burning material.
An investigation into the cause was under way, but one official at the scene said it was possible that sparks from the locomotive ignited the refuse. The three scrap cars were traveling immediately behind the engine.
Colonie EMS workers were standing by as firefighters worked, but there were no injuries. Officials said they did not believe any hazardous materials were present.