CUSTER, Wash. - Evacuation orders have been lifted in Whatcom County several hours after a BNSF train derailed and caught fire north of Bellingham.
It happened about 11:45 a.m. in the Custer/Grandview area. Officials said the 108-car train was carrying crude oil to the Phillips 66 refinery in Ferndale when seven cars derailed.
Two of those went up in flames and sent a billow of black smoke into the air.Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo said as of 4 p.m., the fire was still burning but was under control.
A long list of agencies responded to the scene, including fire brigades from the nearby Phillips 66 and BP refineries. It's still unclear how many people had to be evacuated.