Doon, Iowa — One of the engines of a Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad train was heavily damaged by fire Sunday night south of Doon.
Doon Assistant Fire Chief Blake Van Bemmel tells KIWA that his department was called out shortly after 11:00 Sunday night to the report of a train on fire. Van Bemmel says the train was stopped at a crossing when firefighters arrived. He says the engine bay of one of the train’s locomotive was ablaze when firefighters arrived on scene.
Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad Public Affairs Director Andy Williams says the train was headed to Minneapolis when the fire broke out.
Williams says when the train’s crew noticed the fire they alerted dispatch, who then summoned firefighters.
He says crews moved the locomotive to Doon, where it was inspected Monday by a BNSF mechanic crew.
Two roads were blocked by the train overnight, Goldfinch Avenue, north of 260th Street, and east of Garfield on 280th Street, according to Sioux County authorities. Authorities say the roads were open again by about 8:15 Monday morning.
Williams had high praise for the Doon Fire Department, noting their rapid response and the professionalism with which they handled Sunday night’s fire, as well as their response to the BNSF train derailment that happened near Doon this past June.
