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Evacuations Ordered in Vilnius After LPG Railcars Explode During Terminal Transfer

Officials say an occupational safety violation is the leading early theory.

Overview

  • City authorities told residents within one kilometre of a rail station to evacuate after explosions followed a liquefied petroleum gas fire during reloading.
  • The fire started around 9:30 a.m., and by afternoon about 40 firefighters were on scene but could not approach because of extreme heat.
  • One person was injured, large smoke plumes were visible across Vilnius, and residents elsewhere were urged to stay indoors.
  • Police said the burning railcars belong to Orlen, which stated the LPG came from its Lithuanian refinery, the transfer was handled by a contractor at a terminal it does not own, and there is no current suspicion of intentional action.
  • A Russian passenger train was halted roughly 10 kilometers from the station and redirected to an alternate route, according to Lithuanian Railways.