Government says it's investigating CN's actions after rail crew surrounded by wildfire
Transport Canada is investigating Canadian National Railway (CN) after a train crew was forced to escape on foot when their train was surrounded by a wildfire. The union representing the workers has criticized the company for operating in active wildfire zones.
Why it matters
The incident highlights critical safety concerns regarding industrial operations in areas affected by climate-driven natural disasters.
The government is "conducting followup oversight" to determine if CN failed to comply with rules under the Railway Safety Act, said Transport Canada spokesperson Hicham Ayoun.
"Transport Canada will not hesitate to implement operational restrictions or protective measures when necessary," he said in an email Friday.
The department is also working with Employment and Social Development Canada to determine whether health and safety violations occurred, he said.
A video of the incident shared widely on social media showed orange-red flames closing in on the train near Armstrong, Ont., earlier this week as trees burned on both sides of the tracks.
CN train crew: ‘We’re encased in flames now’
July 15 | Duration 1:24 "Y'all need to hurry up here. Like, seriously, we're encased in flames now," a worker can be heard telling radio operators.
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