Oil train explosion sparks evacuation in West Virginia

At least 15 oil tanker cars caught fire on Monday in West Virginia — (Image credit: Associated Press/YouTube)

On Monday afternoon, at least 15 tanker cars on a 100-car train carrying crude oil exploded in southern West Virginia, sending a fireball into the air and one tanker into the Kanawah River. The derailed train, carrying Bakken crude from North Dakota to Virginia, also crashed into one house. Hundreds of residents of were evacuated and authorities shut down two water treatment plants over contamination fears. Train operator CSX says that one person suffered inhalation issues from the indecent. Watch raw footage of the explosion from The Associated Press below. —Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.