Fire in Railroad Car Burn Vehicles Near Mechanics Bank Arena [Bakersfield, CA]

BAKERSFIELD, CA (February 26, 2024) — A series of vehicle fires broke out in a railroad car close to Bakersfield’s downtown vicinity, causing alarm on Saturday evening. 

The Bakersfield Fire Department rushed to the scene following reports of a vehicle ablaze on a moving train shortly after 9 p.m.

Firefighting teams were deployed near the Mechanics Bank Arena, where they combated the fire amidst the train’s cargo. The train’s journey was halted under Hwy 99 due to the smoke disrupting traffic, necessitating a relocation to allow for a safer firefighting operation.

Battalion Chief Mike Lencioni highlighted the challenges posed by the smoke and the subsequent need to move the train to a more suitable location for emergency response. The origin of the fire remains under investigation, with fire officials probing the scene.

Updates on the fire in railroad car incident will follow as more information becomes available.