Crews try to extinguish fire in railroad tunnel

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Crews are trying to extinguish a fire in a 700-foot-long railroad tunnel in eastern Kentucky.

Pike County Emergency management Director Doug Tackett told WYMT-TV (https://bit.ly/1nC7h6s) that firefighters stopped battling the flames Monday after concerns about toxic runoff were raised.

“Timbers within that tunnel were treated with creosote years ago which emits some toxic fumes when burning and if treated with a lot of water it can create some run off and there can be toxic run off from that,” Tackett said.

The station reports that CSX Corporation has a contractor on the scene that is trying to smother the blaze, which has been pouring out heavy smoke and fumes.

“It is still burning on both ends there, heavy smoke coming out and as the humidity rises it keeps the smoke pushed down around the homes and schools,” Tackett said on Monday.

Some schools canceled classes due to the fire.

CSX says it is working with the state fire marshal’s office to try to determine a cause, but they haven’t yet been able to enter the tunnel due to the blaze.

Firefighters were called out to the tunnel on Saturday after area residents reported loud crashing noises and flames that reached as high as the mountain.

Officials say air monitoring has found no danger to area residents. Tackett says more testing on air quality is planned on Tuesday.

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Information from: WYMT-TV, https://www.wkyt.com/wymtnews