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Lynchburg, Va - Lynchburg emergency officials have confirmed that a train has gone off the tracks in downtown Lynchburg around 1:45 Wednesday afternoon.
Between 12 and 14 CSX tankers carrying crude oil were involved in the train derailment, according to city officials. A witness on the scene says he saw the rail under the train give way. That is, the dirt and stone beneath the train gave way and according to that witness, the train then toppled over.
Between three and six cars caught fire and the smoke can be seen throughout much of Lynchburg.
According to officials, three railway cars are in the river and the product that was in the tankers is spilling into the river.
Witnesses report seeing flames 80 feet high.
It is a very thick, black smoke that's filling the sky.
This derailment is near Amazement Square and the Depot Grille.
Live video feed at link. It appears that they have gotten the fire mostly contained now, but this is going to be a mess to clean up, for sure. Thankfully, so far, no one is reported hurt.
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