Tank-trucks were derailed. (26.08.97)

A cloud of black smoke overshadowed the sun over Borisov. Last Saturday 28 tank-trucks of a goods train, coming from Minsk to Orsha, left the second main path of a railway station. It was about 2 p.m., when 8 tank-trucks with the 95th petrol were derailed. Two of them in which there were 120 tons (!) of fuel were holed. The fire flared up with might and main. And 20 tank-trucks transferred propane-butane gas. They were half filled that was especially dangerous. Luckily they have not exploded.

Besides there were goods trucks with rubber and with Bavarian beer in the train. These goods were burnt down. The same happened with a truck filled with rubber-technical wares standing on the next path and being loaded. It caught fire… because of the temperatureѕthere was such a scorching heat.

Urgently people were evacuated from platforms, the building of the station (200 metres from the fireplace) and from blockhouses of the nearest districts. Arrived Borisov firemen faced the following problem: because of low pressure an anti-fire pipe hardly gave water. So they began to rush to Berezina River, banks of which were steep. Anti-fire trains from Borisov and Minsk arrived. Minsk team brought specific techniques: powerful pumping station, fire-hoses and soapsuds… And about 4 p.m. the powerful soapsuds attack was given. In this way people conquered the fire element. At 20.15 on the station "Borisob " there was restored the coming of trains.

A press-center UVD of transport was informed that the reason of the accident, possibly, was defective wheel pair of an idling tank-truck.

Tamara Hamiszevich.