Deadly truck crash causes smoky Portland railroad yard fire

A deadly crash sparked a massive railroad tanker vehicle fire in Northwest Portland Sunday morning, forcing residents to hunker down in their homes as thick black smoke filled the air.

Portland Fire spokesman Terry Foster said the fire happened when the truck, carrying some sort of fuel product, crashed, causing fuel to leak underneath the parked train cars.

The tankers contain tar or asphalt. Altig says nearby businesses were evacuated.

The fire was under control at 10:34 a.m., officials said.

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Portland police responded to assist Portland Fire and Rescue around 8:48 a.m. Sunday for the report of a crash and fire but were unable to access the crash scene due to the fire. They said one of the tanker cars sustained major damage and was leaking, but the others did not appear to be leaking.

BNSF spokesman Gus Melanos said the railway’s main lines were not impacted. Flames could be seen from afar and huge clouds of black smoke darkened the sky.

Portland police later said the burning hot asphalt would take cool by around noon.

During the fire, a plume of smoke could be seen for miles.

Firefighters work at the scene after a semitrailer truck crashed into railroad cars causing a fire near the St. Johns Bridge in Portland Sunday. The firefighters expect residual smoke and steam during this time and have called on local residents to stay indoors and out of smoke. Altig says firefighters used foam to quell flames, and nearby railroad cars were moved away.

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