(Plevna, Montana – August 5, 2012)
At least five cars loaded with denatured alcohol derailed, exploded and burned when a Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train crashed near the small, eastern Montana town of Plevna, MT Sunday afternoon.
The parallel U.S. Highway 12 was closed and people were told to stay at least a half mile from the wreck scene, which was two miles west of Plevna.
Multiple explosions which could be seen and heard for miles sparked wildfires which were being battled by firefighters and emergency crews from Plevna, MT, Baker, MT and Fallon County.
Denatured alcohol, also known as ethanol, is a poisonous spirit used for a number of industrial purposes including as both fuel and a solvent.