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A cargo train derailed Tuesday afternoon in the Rosedale area, damaging nearby buildings, shutting down US Route 40 and causing a loud explosion that could be felt miles away.
Authorities in Baltimore County said the train struck a tractor trailer near the 7500 block of Lake Drive, veering off the tracks near an industrial park.
Initial reports were that no one was hurt, but officials later said the driver of the trailer was extricated and his condition was not immediately clear.
It was also unclear what the train was carrying. Hazarous material teams from the region were on the scene.
MTA spokesman Terry Owens said the agency did not expect any disruption of service on the Penn Line between Baltimore and Perryville, which operates on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. Minor delays were possible on the CSX-owned Camden Line between Washington and Baltimore’s Camden Station, as CSX shuffles previously scheduled freight trains.
U.S. 40 was closed westbound at Rosedale Road, and closed eastbound at 64th Street. The State Highway Administration also said the I-95, I-895 and I-695 ramps to Route 40 were closed.
The train did not appear to have made contact with the buildings, aerial images from television news showed. The train cars were flipped, with thick black smoke continuing to billow as a fire burned. Emergency crews did not appear to be engaging the fire.
Eric Beverly, 22, said he was driving through the area when he saw the smoke and drove closer, recording video. Suddenly an explosion occurred, and Beverly said he could feel intense heat from inside his vehicle.
"We had no idea it was going to blow up," Beverly said. "I had my son in the car with me, and my thinking was basically to get away."
Traffic was jammed on Pulaski Highway as emergency trucks and responders flew toward the fire. All along the way, employees of businesses stood outside and stared at the billowing plume of smoke that could be seen clear into the city.
Residents coming home from work were not being allowed into the neighborhood around the fire.
