Rail

BNSF Train Fire in Riverside Tied to Cargo Theft Incident

A BNSF freight train traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago experienced a container fire during a burglary in Riverside, California on Thursday morning. Dispatchers received initial reports at 4:40 a.m. of flames in an upper container on the moving double-stack train. Riverside Fire Department responded with 19 firefighters, four engines, one truck and a chief officer. Access limitations forced railroad personnel to reposition the train farther east before crews could extinguish the blaze at 5:30 a.m. Colton Fire Department also assisted in the response. BNSF Police assumed investigative control of the burglary and fire. The railroad has not disclosed stolen merchandise, identified suspects or reported service disruptions. No injuries, deaths or evacuations occurred. BNSF emphasized the seriousness of freight theft, noting that cargo frequently includes medicine, food and critical supplies. The investigation remains ongoing.