Four Mile Evacuation Ordered after Railcar Carrying Toxic Chemicals Explodes Unleashing Hazardous Toxic Smoke

Numerous authorities and hazmat crews are on the scene of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks in North Platte, Nebraska, following a series of railcars catching fire and exploding, releasing heavy hazardous toxic smoke into the air. One of the containers that ignited contained the hazardous chemical perchloric acid. In response to this emergency, officials have issued evacuation orders for residents within a four-mile radius of the explosion.

The Union Pacific Railroad has confirmed that there was no derailment, and the affected railcar had been stationary in the yard for several hours prior to the incident. The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation.