Several buildings collapsed after a cargo train derailed east of Baltimore and then exploded with a blast that could be felt for miles, officials and witnesses said Tuesday.

No one was immediately reported hurt in the incident, and hazardous materials personnel were responding to the scene in Rosedale, Baltimore County Public Safety tweeted.

Kevin Lindemann, 29, was at a warehouse right next to the tracks when he felt the ground shaking like an “earthquake,” he told the Los Angeles Times.

“I looked out the front window and you could see the train off the tracks, sliding to a halt,” he said.


Rosedale is about five miles east of downtown Baltimore.

Lindemann said it appeared that one of the cars was on fire when he and about 15 of his co-workers stepped outside and evacuated the warehouse, where they could feel the heat from the fire. Lindemann and other drove a short distance away.

“As soon as we got out of our cars, the explosion hit,” Lindemann said. “I couldn’t tell you what the explosion looked like, but two or three blocks away, it could have taken you to your knees. … It was incredible.”

A large black column of smoke was visible over Baltimore after the blast.


Baltimore County Public Safety said that multiple buildings had collapsed at the scene, according to preliminary reports.

Baltimore County fire officials told WBAL-TV the train was a CSX train.

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