Local
Watauga train fire leaves east-west traffic stopped at crossing
Fire crews extinguished a blaze on a disabled Union Pacific passenger train in Watauga on Oct. 20. Highway 377 traffic reopened, but the train continued to block the crossing at Hightower Drive and Basswood Boulevard, with no reopening time announced.
A fire on a disabled Union Pacific passenger train blocked eastbound and westbound traffic at a Watauga railroad crossing on Tuesday, Oct. 20, city officials said.
The incident occurred near the crossing at Hightower Drive, Basswood Boulevard and Highway 377. Watauga police and firefighters responded, and crews put out the flames.
Northbound and southbound traffic on Highway 377 had resumed by the time of the city’s update, but the train was still blocking the crossing. Officials had not provided an estimated time for it to reopen.
No injuries were reported, and officials said there was no known danger to the public or nearby area.