Story and photos my Mike Watiker
Just before noon on Sunday, April 13, 2014, engineers aboard a moving Norfolk Southern freight train noticed that one of their rail cars was on fire.
Firefighters from the Rural-Metro Fire Department (RM) were notified. This RM Division provides fire and EMS services for metropolitan Knoxville, Tennessee.
Because the train was still moving, a coordinated rendezvous was made and the train stopped along E Emory Rd in the Powell community.
First-due Rural Metro Engine 231, which had been paralleling the train since shortly after dispatch, pulled alongside just as the train was coming to a complete stop.
Engine 231 reported that they had an open top rail car, three from the front, and that flames and smoke were shooting 30 feet in the air.
After a quick meeting with the conductor, it was determined that fire involved used railroad ties that were headed to be repurposed. It was also determined that there were no immediate exposures on the train or nearby structures.
The assignment consisted of three engines, a medic, and chief. The trained stopped along a main roadway, which gave companies great access and a fixed continuous water source.
RM Engine 231 established command and handlines for fire attack. RM Tender 232 established a water supply and Karns Fire Engine 401 provided cover with their deck gun.
The rail car was full of used railroad ties soaked in creosote and was well involved in fire.
Rural Metro firefighters used a ground ladder and an attack line to access the top of the car and, combined with the master stream, Class A foam and water were used to extinguish the fire in about one hour.
The cause of the fire is undetermined but not believed to be suspicious. The dollar loss is minimal because the ties were used.
There were no civilian or firefighter injuries. The rail car was isolated and switched to a nearby siding to be off loaded.
Rural Metro Fire Department provides emergency services to Knox County, Tennesse, staffing a variety of apparatus out of 15 stations.
MORE MIKE WATIKER
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