Burglary hits moving BNSF train as container catches fire in Riverside

A BNSF train carrying mixed freight caught fire during a burglary in Riverside, California, Thursday morning. The train was traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago, BNSF told FreightWaves. Firefighters found an open upper container burning on the moving double-stack train. Officials have not identified the items inside or reported any stolen cargo.

Riverside dispatchers received the first report at 4:40 a.m. near Chicago Avenue. Early information placed the train heading west from downtown. Crews later located it moving east between Spruce and Columbia streets. Riverside Fire Department deployed 19 firefighters, four engines, one truck and a chief officer.

Crews move train for access

Access problems prevented crews from reaching the flames at their first location. Incident commanders directed railroad personnel to reposition the equipment farther east. Once crews gained access, firefighters extinguished the blaze and recorded control at 5:30 a.m. The department identified the event as incident RIV #26-34784.

BNSF told FreightWaves that Colton Fire Department also responded to the incident. Firefighters later returned the railcar to a BNSF representative and company police. Railroad investigators took charge of removal and examination. Officials reported no deaths, injuries, evacuations or displaced residents.