Tanker cars burst into flames after 18-wheeler hits train in Texas crossing

Three tanker cars loaded with fuel burst into flames on Tuesday morning after an 18-wheeler struck one of the vehicles at a crossing on FM 2095 about six miles outside of Cameron and the flames were so intense evacuations were ordered.

The truck’s driver evidently swerved to prevent a car that was stopped at the crossing and T-boned the car of the BNSF freight train, officials said.

The crossing is marked and the arms were operating at the time of the accident.

Nobody was injured. The drivers of the vehicles managed to escape.

The tanker cars will likely be left to burn out, Cameron police Chief Lonnie Gosch said.

Residents nearby were evacuated due to the extreme heat generated by the fire.

The flames spread to a barn and several outbuildings, officials said.

Homes in the area sustained heat damage they said.

The train was hauling gasoline and coal officials said.

Some vehicles at the rear of the train are loaded with what was described as hazardous material, but weren’t affected by the crash, which caused about a dozen vehicles to derail.

One of the chemicals the train was carrying was phosphoric acid, officials said.