CUSTER, Wash. — First responders were dispatched about 11:40pm on Tuesday, June 4th, due to a report of a BNSF Railway freight train derailment in the 7700 block of Portal Way.
According to North Whatcom Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Jason Van der Veen, cars containing molten sulfur and crude oil were off the tracks and leaning about 45-degrees. None of the hazardous materials were spilled.
Today, Wednesday, June 5th, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office has closed down Portal Way between Valley View Road and and Arnie Road for the day at BNSF’s request. Van der Veen said BNSF crews will be transferring cars’ contents so they can right the derailed cars and return them to the tracks.
BNSF is investigating the cause of the derailment.
Amtrak did not report any schedule impacts between their Vancouver BC and Bellingham stations.
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