Quebec Up In Flames: Train Explosion Levels Part of Town

By Chad Anthony on July 6, 2013

Our neighbors in the Great White North, suffered a great deal.  In the morning hours of July 6th, an unmanned train carrying crude oil derailed and crashed, causing a domino explosion that leveled a portion of Lac-Megantic, Quebec.  A massive fireball ensued, sending smoke stacks up into the air visible to surrounding cities.  77 train cars were involved.  The town is located roughly 155 miles east of Montreal and 10 miles west of the Maine border.

The first explosion occurred at 1:00 AM.  City official Lt. Michel Brunet from the Quebec provincial police has confirmed one individual died, with 60+ people missing.  People ran from the intense heat and fire balls out of the main town center with the sky bright with flames, witnesses state.  Multiple tankers exploded in the downtown area.  The fire spread into the surrounding residential areas of 6,000 people, with 1,000 of those individuals issued to evacuate their homes.

Town authorities set perimeters in an attempt to contain crowds while 100+ fire fighters battled the blaze.  Surrounding municipalities St. Georges de Beauce and Sherbrooke and others sent aid and fleets of firetrucks.  Franklin County fire department from northern Maine also provided its own fleet.  Christian Blanchette Environment Quebec spokesman said that with the smoke contamination, a mobile laboratory has been issued to monitor the quality of air.  He followed stating an undetermined yet large quantity of oil spilled into the Chaudiere River.  Municipalities down stream of the spill received warning with taking any water from the river.  Prime Minister Stephen Harper expressed his concern and sympathy in the following statement:

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those affected by this morning’s tragic train derailment and subsequent fires in Lac-Megantic, Quebec.  We hope evacuees can return to their homes safely and quickly.  The people of Lac-Megantic and surrounding areas can rest assured that our government is monitoring the situation and we stand by the ready to provide any assistance requested by the province.”

Montreal Maine & Atlantic owns the train that started this hell-on-earth insanity.  The company sits on more than 500 miles of track that services Maine, Vermont, New Brunswick, and Quebec.  Across Maine alone, MM&A Railway hoisted 3 million barrels of crude oil.  Every tank car carries a measly 30,000 gallons.

This train catastrophe will create an enormous hole in the economy, not to mention in the hearts of all affected.  To help, donations are accepted at Red Cross Quebec.

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