'I couldn't believe it': Freight train on fire rolls through downtown London, Ont.
The investigation into how a train moving through the City of London caught fire has been turned over to the CP Rail police.
“Everything is considered arson or suspicious until proven otherwise,” said London Platoon Chief Colin Shewell.
CTV News reached out to CP Rail and was told through a written response, "The incident remains under investigation. We thank the London first responders for their effective response to the fire last night."
Just before 11 p.m. on Sunday, London fire received multiple 911 calls about an eastbound train on fire, crossing over Oxford Street.
"We saw a train engulfed in flames, and flames spitting out of the top of the train cars and it was quite shocking to look at,” said Madison McArthur, who lives near the train tracks at Waterloo Street and Pall Mall Street.
The train was able to come to a stop in the area of Waterloo Street and Pall Mall Street where first responders took about an hour to get the fire under control.
"I was coming down Oxford street heading into downtown — I [saw] the train going across the bridge there, totally engulfed in flames. I couldn’t believe it,” said Tyler McNeill, who first saw the train on fire over the bridge at Oxford Street and Wharncliffe Road.
According to Shewell, train crews were able to disconnect the cars that were on fire that were in close proximity to a hazmat car.
They were also able to take another hazmat car into the train yard and return to the scene to give fire crews details on that cars that were burning.
Shewell said those cars were carrying old wooden railway ties.
Damage to the railcars is estimated at $25,000 and $10,000 to a Drewlo Holding building.
— With files from CTV News London's Reta Ismail
London fire responded to a moving train on fire in downtown London on April 21, 2024. (Source: Chad Lewis)
First responders on scene in downtown London after a moving train caught fire on April 21, 2024. (Source: Joseph O'Neil/Facebook)
A train caught fire while moving through downtown London April 21, 2024. (Source: Mikhail Ivanov)
Train cars on fire as a train moves through downtown London on April 21, 2024. (Source: Submitted)
Crews work to keep a fire out on five train cars that caught fire as it moved through downtown London on April 21, 2024. (Source: London fire)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6977430.1721929538!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
LIVE NOW Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
WATCH LIVE Alberta premier fights back tears, promises help as Jasper devastated by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith fought back tears Thursday as she sought to console Jasper residents coming to terms with a community devastated by wildfire.
NASA says no return date yet for astronauts and Boeing capsule at space station
Already more than a month late getting back, two NASA astronauts will remain at the International Space Station until engineers finish working on problems plaguing their Boeing capsule, officials said Thursday.
'Skibidi Toilet:' If you don’t know what it is, you will
'Skibidi Toilet' is already an internet sensation and now its about to get even more exposure.
French sprinter will wear a cap during Olympic opening ceremony after hijab dispute is resolved
French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla will be allowed to participate in the opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics wearing a cap to cover her hair, an agreement reached with the French Olympic Committee after Sylla said she was barred because of her hijab.
Spicy dispute over the origins of Flamin' Hot Cheetos winds up in court
A former PepsiCo executive is suing the company, saying it destroyed his career after questioning his claim that he invented the popular flavor of Cheetos snacks.