Heimdal resident recounts oil train derailment and fire

HEIMDAL, N.D. (AP) - The Heimdal resident who alerted authorities to a BNSF Railway oil train derailment and fire in Wells County says he did so in his underwear and with shaving cream on his face.

Sixty-eight-year-old Curt Benson says he heard the explosion outside town about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, and felt it rattle his house. He says with the large number of oil trains that come through the community, he figured that was the cause. He quickly drove to the scene to get a firsthand look, then called 911.

Benson says it took emergency crews about a half hour to respond to the rural area. He says rainfall likely stopped the fire from spreading to nearby grassland in the meantime.

No one was hurt but Heimdal residents were evacuated as a precaution.