Crews knock down train fire in Clinton
MISSOULA, Mont. — Fire crews scrambled to knock down a train fire east of Missoula, near Clinton, Sunday afternoon.
Sargent Scott King with the Missoula Sheriff's Department says they received a call at 4:23 pm that one of the train's engines was on fire while it was rolling through the town of Clinton. The engine was attached to empty oil tankers.
"It was about 20 feet above the car and it was black smoke. So, I don't know how much they carry on the car and my biggest thing was if it explodes, I don't want to be near here," said Jeff Ritenour, a Clinton resident who lives in the area where the fire happened.
King says Missoula Rural Fire and Clinton Fire responded. They were able to get the tankers detached from the engine that was on fire and then put the fire out. King says no evacuations were necessary.
Firefighters on scene tell NBC Montana staff the engine appeared to be fully involved with 15 foot flames out of the smoke stack. They are not sure of the cause at this time. They say the two train operators are safe and unharmed.
