Truck, train collision causes major fire in E. China
( 2003-07-14 14:53) (Xinhua)
The collision of a dump truck and a train carrying liquid methanol caused a
huge explosion and major fire late Sunday in east China's Zhejiang Province.
Six houses burned down but no casualties have been reported, said sources
from the railway administration branch based in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang
Province.
Witnesses said the accident took place at an unmanned railway crossing in the
suburbs of Jiangshan City at around 5:12 p.m. Sunday. The truck, fully loaded
with stone coal, hit the train, which was backing up at the time.
A huge explosion was heard, and the flammable methanol spilled out quickly
into a residential area some 20 meters away, sparking a fire whose flames could
be seen far away, the witnesses said.
As soon as it was notified of the accident, the fire control brigade of
Jiangshan City dispatched three fire trucks and dozens of firefighters to combat
the fire, which was put out around 6:20 p.m. on Sunday.
The truck driver fled and is still on the loose. The cause of the accident is
still under investigation.
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