UPDATE: Roads back open in New Rockford after morning train engine fire

NEW ROCKFORD, N.D. (Valley News Live) - Roads are back open in New Rockford after a train engine started on fire early Monday morning.

The New Rockford Fire Department was dispatched just after 8 a.m. to a report of a BNSF train that was on fire. At the time of dispatch, officials say the westbound train was approximately 15 minutes outside of the city limits. Officials say due to challenging rural travel conditions, the train engineer decided it would be best to meet the fire department in New Rockford. Prior to the train’s arrival, fire and BNSF officials determined that there was no hazardous or flammable freight on this train as all of the cars were loaded with sand.

When the train stopped at the 8th St. crossing, officials say a small amount of smoke was visible from the train, but there were no open flames seen. Firefighters and the BNSF train crew members gained access to the engine compartment and utilized carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishers to control and cool the fire. Officials say there was a mechanical failure within the engine compartment that resulted in the fire. Crews remained on scene for one hour.

No injuries were reported from this incident, officials say, and the damage was completely contained to the engine compartment.