Union Pacific Train Catches Fire Near Rock Springs

Around 2:55 p.m. on Saturday, the train derailed 39 cars four miles east of Rock Springs. Nine cars were damaged or on fire.

June 15, 20201 min read

Rock Springs Explosion
(Cowboy State Daily Staff)

A fire broke out near Rock Springs over the weekend when a Union Pacific train hauling flammable material derailed, according to railroad officials.

UP spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza detailed the events of the crash to Cowboy State Daily in an email.

Around 2:55 p.m. on Saturday, 39 cars of the train derailed, sparking a fire that involved nine cars.

The train was hauling 116 rail cars, which were carrying mixed freight including alcohol, which was involved in the fire. There were no injuries and the fire was finally extinguished late Sunday night.

“The cause of the derailment is under investigation,” Espinoza said. “Crews have moved the debris and damaged rail cars from the tracks, which will be hauled away sometime in the near future. Our engineering teams made the necessary repairs to reopen both main lines.”