Railroad tie blaze in Chatham (Video, Photos)

Over 40 firefighters battled a railroad tie blaze in Chatham on Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Officials with Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services say the call came in a 5:15 p.m. to 361 Colborne Street in Chatham.

“Crews from station #1 and #2 in Chatham were called to reports of significant amounts of black smoke behind 361 Colborne St. just after 5 p.m. yesterday evening,” fire officials said in a press release.

“Firefighters arrived on scene to a large pile of railroad ties on fire. Immediately, additional fire personal were called to assist.”

Fire officials say at the peak of the incident, there were over 40 firefighters on scene and five trucks from Stations #1 and #2 Chatham and two tanker trucks from Station #16 – Raleigh South and Station #6 – Dresden.

“Crews worked to control the spread of the fire,” fire officials say.

“With substantial winds, there was minimal exposure damage to the back of a warehouse located at 363 Colborne Street. An excavator was also brought in to assist with the moving of railroad ties.”

Fire officials say residents in the area were advised to close their windows and doors to protect themselves from heavy black smoke coming from the fire.

“The cause is undetermined and there were no injuries,” fire officials added.

“The estimated cost of damage is also unknown.

Fire officials say the Chatham-Kent Police Service, Chatham-Kent EMS, CP Rail Police and CK Rail Hazmat staff, as well as a representative from the Ministry of the Environment, were all on scene.

Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services shared the following video on Twitter from the blaze: