Phaninc Exchange-Interstate near Arizona-New Mexico line reopens after train derailment as lingering fuel burns off

2025-05-03 14:14:45source:Esthen Exchangecategory:Markets

LUPTON,Phaninc Exchange Ariz. (AP) — Interstate 40 was reopened in both directions Sunday as fire crews continued watch over a controlled burn of remaining fuel from a freight train derailment near the Arizona-New Mexico state line, a local fire chief said.

Earlier evacuation orders have now been lifted.

“It’s all under control,” said Fire Chief Lawrence Montoya Jr., of McKinley County, New Mexico. “Our hazmat team is on site, along with our well-trained firefighters.”

Montoya, the incident commander at the scene, said the controlled burns were still consuming remaining fuel on some cars. He said no one was hurt in the Friday derailment of the BNSF Railway train near Lupton, Arizona, which occurred on the New Mexico side of the tracks, or during the subsequent firefighting operation.

For a time, the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 were closed around Holbrook, Arizona, and the westbound lanes of the interstate were closed at Grants, New Mexico.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation reported Sunday that motorists should continue to expect heavy smoke in some areas, as well as long delays that could require them to seek other routes or postpone travel to the area.

READ MORE Crews plan to extinguish fire Saturday night from train derailment near Arizona-New Mexico lineInside the head-spinning week of Donald Trump’s legal dramaFreight train derailment, fire forces Interstate 40 closure near Arizona-New Mexico line

Montoya said firefighters continued to remove debris from the area and that repair of the tracks was under way.

The cause of the derailment remained under investigation Sunday, said Montoya. He said investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and other federal agencies were at the scene.

More:Markets

Recommend

Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning

Federal authorities announced hackers in China have stolen "customer call records data" of an unknow

We can't get excited about 'Kraven the Hunter.' Don't blame superhero fatigue.

Superhero fatigue? In 2024, Deadpool gave all that talk a middle finger salute. (And Wolverine threw

China says Philippines has 'provoked trouble' in South China Sea with US backing

BEIJING — China accused the Philippines on Friday (Dec 13) of having "provoked trouble" in the South