by Matt Hughes
J-E News Editor
Area fire fighters were called into action earlier today to fight a series of fires that stretched from near the intersection of Highway 120 and Cedar Street in Providence, to Luttontown-Lisman Road on the outskirts of Diamond.
“It looks like it started on or near the railroad tracks near Cedar Street,” said Webster County EMA Director Jeremy Moore. The fire, or a series of fires, then followed the railroad tracks.
In several location in Diamond the grass fires got near houses, but the fire fighters were able to extinguish them without trouble.
Providence Fire Chief Brad Curry said that a CSX train had left Dotiki mine at the approximate time of the fires. Authorities managed to stop the train near Green Street in Providence where it was held for 30 minutes to an hour.
"This has happened multiple times in the past," said Curry. "Those times it was an additive they put in the train's fuel to clean the stacks out. If they don't get it all burned out, it can spark a fire."
According to Moore, CSX say that they had no problems on their train. There is no word on what else may have sparked the blaze.
Curry reported that he was aware of at least eight different fires along the CSX railroad that runs from Dotki through Providence, but he was pretty sure there were more between Diamond and the mine.
"This has happened multiple times in the past," said Curry. "Those times it was an additive they put in the train's fuel to clean the stacks out. If they don't get it all burned out, it can spark a fire."
According to Moore, CSX say that they had no problems on their train. There is no word on what else may have sparked the blaze.
Curry reported that he was aware of at least eight different fires along the CSX railroad that runs from Dotki through Providence, but he was pretty sure there were more between Diamond and the mine.