Rail Car Explodes, Shuts Down Highway 54

Traffic was backed up north of Guymon on Hwy. 54 for more than one mile late Thursday night as parts of a train erupted into flames.

According to a report in the Guymon Daily Herald, officials on scene said a call came in at approximately 9:21 p.m. of a boxcar on fire north of the Seaboard plant. The fire originated at approximately car number 15 as an automobile being transported by the train caught fire and exploded.

Flames could be seen for miles as firefighters from across the area battled the blaze. The side of the rail car had to be removed to allow access to the burning vehicles inside.

Hwy. 54 was immediately closed in both directions due to the dangerous debris being emitted. Pieces of tire and other fragments were heard popping as they flew out onto the roadway. Westbound lanes were reopened at 11:35 p.m. and traffic was then allowed to slowly pass through. More than one mile of traffic was halted including a a group of Guymon High School student council members anxious to get home.

The Guymon Fire Department, Guymon Police Department, Texas County Sheriff’s Dept., Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Optima Fire Department and BNSF all responded to the scene. No cause has been determined and the incident remains under investigation