Keene, Kern County: Train Derailment w/ Tunnel Fire, Haz-Mat & Evacuations

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Keene, Kern County: Train Derailment w/ Tunnel Fire, Haz-Mat & Evacuations

Train Derailment with fire
Incident Time: 09:31:00 PM
Incident Date: 02-20-2010
Incident Location: Kern County near city of Keene 18 miles east of Bakersfield.
Incident Type: Hazardous Materials Incident
Number of Personnel: 18

KEENE, CA - Saturday February 20th 2010 at approximately 9:31 P.M., a call was received by the Kern County Fire Department, for a train derailment at the entrance to tunnel 9, on the Tehachapi Loop south of Keene. 18 Kern County Firefighters responded to the incident assisted by Kern County Environmental Health Agency, Kern County Sheriff, CHP and Railroad crews.

Upon arrival, fire crews were faced with a cargo train with 2 tanker cars that had derailed at the entrance to tunnel 9. At least one of the tanker cars was involved in fire. According to the train manifest the tanker involved in fire was carrying alcohol.
Due to the nature of the toxic cloud, and as a precaution, local residents were evacuated for a 1 mile radius. A temporary shelter was set up at the Tehachapi High School.

Railway engineers uncoupled and removed the unaffected part of the train.

There were no reported injuries.

Source: KCFD Kern County Fire Department website News and incidents: Link

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Sunday, February 21, 2010