FERNDALE, Wash. — Tomorrow will mark 1 week since 7 cars of a BNSF Railway train derailed in Custer and 3 tanker cars carrying crude oil caught fire resulting in an evacuation and closure of many roads and I-5. As of today, December 28th, roads remain closed near the site while cleanup continues.
Tanks and trucks from damaged tanker rail cars set alongside the tracks where they had derailed and caught fire on December 22nd in Custer (December 28, 2020). Photo: My Ferndale News 
Tanks and trucks from damaged tanker rail cars set alongside the tracks where they had derailed and caught fire on December 22nd in Custer (December 28, 2020). Photo: My Ferndale News
Officials continue to investigate the incident and have yet to report they are focusing on any specific probable cause.
Roads remained closed to all by local traffic in the immediate area. According to Whatcom County Public Works, as of today, the roads still closed in the area included the following.
- Portal Way between Arnie and Faris Roads
- Main between Bruce and Custer School Roads
- 4th Street between Main Street and Arnie Road
- Custer School Road between Portal Way and Arnie Road
No estimate has been given for when the above roads may reopen.
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Click for more informationRemnants of damaged tanker cars were still at the scene this morning while trains slowly passed nearby on the main line.
Scene of a BNSF train derailment and fire in Custer nearly a week later (December 28, 2020). Video: My Ferndale News