The damage caused when a freight train full of cars went up in flames in Etten-Leur runs into millions of euros. That’s according to research. It is not yet known how the fire started last week.
According to ProRail, the report that follows the investigation into the cause and damage of the fire will be published next week. But it is already certain that the damage is millions of euros.
The damage is great. An entire train set containing at least 48 hybrid cars has been destroyed. The track has also suffered extensive damage. According to Joke van der Cruysen of ProRail, a kilometer of overhead wires needs to be replaced. There is a chance that the ground is also contaminated at the spot where the wagon was on fire.
As a result, all kinds of substances have ended up between the ballast, which are the stones that lie between the rails. They most likely need to be cleaned. This also applies to the bottom underneath in which oil must have leaked from the cars.
Train towed away in parts
The fire in the freight train broke out on Wednesday afternoon, September 14, after the overhead wires ended up on the train. How this could have happened is still under investigation.
The 48 hybrid cars were on two layers of the train and all went up in flames. ProRail quickly removed power from the overhead lines, preventing more serious damage. No trains could run between Breda and Roosendaal for two days. The damaged train had to be towed away in parts. Only then could the track be restored.
Images of the fire: