Mile-long train carrying crude oil derails, explodes in North Dakota

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/12/30/22113442-mile-long-train-carrying-crude-oil-derails-explodes-in-north-dakota?lite

By Daniella Silva, NBC News

A mile-long train carrying crude oil has derailed and exploded, triggering a "giant fireball" after colliding with another train in North Dakota on Monday.

The Cass County Sheriff's Office said on Monday night that it was "strongly recommending" that residents in the town of Casselton and anyone living 5 miles to the south and east evacuate to shelters set up in Fargo, which is about 25 miles away. Casselton has about 2,400 residents.

The sheriff's office said the National Weather Service was forecasting a shift in the winds that would push the plume of smoke down, possibly posing a health risk. Earlier, authorities had advised nearby residents to shelter inside their homes.
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The freight train carrying crude oil hit another train hauling grain that had derailed on Monday afternoon, causing an explosion and sending flames shooting more than 100 feet into the air. No injuries were immediately reported.
Authorities said local emergency crews responding to reports of a derailment discovered the oil train burning, with up to 10 cars fully engulfed.

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