Huge explosion as train carrying oil tankers collides with 18-wheeler

Crash took place outside Cameron, between Austin and Dallas with no injuries or deaths reported

A train and an 18-wheeler have collided in Texas, causing a huge explosion and a cloud of smoke from the scene. No injuries or deaths have been reported. The crash happened outside Cameron, between Austin and Dallas.

Police first received news of the crash at 6.45am Central Time and sent aid to first responders at the scene of the crash, according to Fox News.

Authorities initially allowed the resulting fire to burn for a while as it was too hot to deal with, local outlet KXXV reported. At least one home burned down, KVUE reported.

A driver tweeted a video saying that he felt the heat from the crash inside his car.

The train, 110 cars long, was carrying coal, fuel, and rocks. Both the driver of the 18-wheeler and the train crew survived the crash without injuries. 13 of the train’s cars were derailed in the crash, and five of them were carrying gasoline and caught fire.

Milam County Sheriff Chris White said the crash took place at a railroad crossing at around 6.40am. He said that the train was carrying coal and gasoline in the front cars, causing the massive explosion.

“Luckily, the hazardous material was a little further back,” he said according to KCEN-TV, adding: “By the grace of God, we were saved by that one.”

Mr White added: “BNSF [Railway] showed up pretty quick and disconnected and moved the hazardous cargo out of range of the fire,” KXAN reported.

Mr White said that there’s no threat to the community and that several agencies are working to put out the fire. He added that some older people in the surrounding area are evacuating from their homes and that other evacuations are taking place on a voluntary basis. Only homes nearby the scene are part of a mandatory evacuation.

There’s no airborne danger, Mr White said. Those responding to the scene include the Cameron Fire Department, the Rosebud Voluntary Fire Department, and the Temple Fire Department. Heavy hazmat suits are being used to deal with the situation.

Mr White said that additional personnel were coming in from Houston and Dallas.

“There’s no more threat at this point. It’s just put the fire out and clean the mess up,” he said while speaking to reporters.

The Texas Department of Public Safety are in the area and will be starting an investigation into the collision.