DUNNELLON, Fla. – City officials in Dunnellon released a detailed Q&A on Thursday, offering new information about the massive railroad tie fire and addressing residents’ concerns.
The fire started in the early hours of Sunday on property owned by CSX Transportation near East McKinney Avenue and North Williams Street. The cause remains under investigation by the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement. Officials said the fire was fully contained and extinguished by Tuesday morning.
[DRONE VIDEO BELOW: Massive pile of railroad ties]
Later that day, Marion County declared a state of emergency, reporting that an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 ties caught fire.
Railroad ties, also known as railroad sleepers, are rectangular supports made of wood or concrete that hold railroad tracks in place. The ties involved in the fire were chemically treated, which raised concerns about potential environmental and health impacts due to smoke and air quality issues.
However, according to the Q&A, officials said no evacuations were necessary. Air quality monitoring conducted by an independent consultant contracted by CSX and local first responders showed no readings above action levels.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) was on site during the fire and continues to monitor the situation. City officials said they will determine necessary sampling and remediation plans, which will be communicated to the public.
Regarding water safety, there is no public wellhead near the fire site. The Florida Governmental Utility Authority, which supplies potable water to Dunnellon and surrounding areas, is testing water samples from public wells. Private well owners are advised to consult the Florida Department of Health for testing information.
Removal of the remaining railroad ties is underway. Approximately 16,500 ties have been transported out of the city by rail, with more shipments scheduled through mid-February. CSX is working with Florida Northern Railroad and Track Line Rail to secure the site until all ties are removed.
“It was a lot of really thick, dark smoke,” said resident Veronica Robin. “I’ve never seen a fire like that before.”
Another resident, Freddy Hileman, said the incident has left him angry and worried about vulnerable members of the community.
“My concerns are the water, people’s health — people who have breathing problems,” Hileman added. “This is certainly not good for anybody. I just don’t know who’s going to be responsible.”
Robin echoed those concerns, citing worries about air quality and possible contamination.
During Tuesday’s Marion County Commission meeting, officials stated that multiple attempts had been made prior to the fire to address the hazard, including code enforcement violations and formal notices to remove the materials.
“It was just an accident waiting to happen,” one official said during the meeting.
A CSX spokesperson said the railroad ties are owned by Track Line Rail, and that the rail line and property where the ties were stored are leased and operated by Florida Northern Railroad.
In a partial statement, the spokesperson said:
“We asked Track Line to move the ties throughout December and January. Track Line had already removed thousands of railroad ties prior to the incident.
While CSX does not own the ties or operate the rail line, we understand the concerns expressed by the community, and we are actively working with all parties to help ensure the site recovery is handled safely, promptly, and responsibly.
To continue the removal process, rail cars were interchanged last night with Florida Northern Railroad in Newberry, Florida, for delivery into Dunnellon later today. Track Line Rail will be positioned to load and remove the remaining rail ties as safely and expeditiously as possible."
However, for some residents, more action by the county and city should be taken.
When asked whether he believes legal action should be taken, Hileman said, “Yes I do. Absolutely. One hundred percent.”
The Marion County Commission has since approved filing an injunction against all parties involved, including Track Line Rail LLC, CSX Transportation, and Florida Northern Railroad, citing their lack of action in addressing safety concerns. The county attorney says they are preparing to draft the injunction action.
Residents with questions about environmental conditions can call the CSX community hotline at 1-888-479-6583. For claims or property damage inquiries, Track Line Rail can be reached at 312-848-1812.
The full Q&A document can be read in the media player below.