OTTAWA – The Transportation Safety Board says the oil that caught fire in the deadly Lac-Megantic train derailment in July was as volatile as gasoline, but was documented as less dangerous crude oil.
The board says its tests show the oil, which was supposed to be a Class 3 flammable liquid, was actually a more volatile Class 2.
The oil should have been classed in the same category as gasoline.
READ MORE: Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway could be sold by year’s end
The board says the lower flash point for the crude oil on the runaway train explains in part why it ignited so quickly when the tanks cars were breached.
The board is asking regulators to look at the process used to document the hazards posed by dangerous goods.
The July 6 crash killed 47 people and destroyed much of the centre of the picturesque Quebec town.
- Life in the forest: How Stanley Park’s longest resident survived a changing landscape
- Bird flu risk to humans an ‘enormous concern,’ WHO says. Here’s what to know
- Roll Up To Win? Tim Hortons says $55K boat win email was ‘human error’
- Election interference worse than government admits, rights coalition says
Comments