Train Trestle burns, collapses along busy rail line near International Falls

A Canadian National Railway trestle near International Falls caught fire early Wednesday, damaging several railroad cars that were caught on the burning span before it collapsed.

Train cars hang above the Rat Root River in Koochiching County on Wednesday after an early morning fire caused a bridge to collapse. Photo courtesy of Koochiching County Sheriff's Office Train cars hang above the Rat Root River in Koochiching County on Wednesday after an early morning fire caused a bridge to collapse. Photo courtesy of Koochiching County Sheriff's Office There were no reports of injuries, or word on when service would resume on the busy rail line.

The crew of a southbound train carrying potash — a non-flammable farm fertilizer — reported the fire just after 12:30 a.m., CN spokesman Brent Kossey said. Koochiching County Sheriff Perryn Hedlund said the bridge that burned crossed the Rat Root River, just north of Ericsburg and about 8 miles southeast of International Falls.

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