A BNSF mixed-freight train caught fire Thursday morning in Riverside, California, during a burglary incident as it traveled from Los Angeles to Chicago, according to BNSF in comments to FreightWaves.
Firefighters discovered that an upper container on the moving double-stack train had been opened and was on fire. Authorities have not disclosed what the container was carrying, and no stolen cargo has been reported.
Riverside dispatchers received the first call at 4:40 a.m. near Chicago Avenue. Initial information indicated that the train was traveling west from downtown, but crews later located it moving east between Spruce and Columbia streets.
The Riverside Fire Department responded with 19 firefighters, four engines, one truck and a chief officer.
Firefighters relocate train to reach the blaze
Crews initially faced access difficulties that prevented them from reaching the fire. Incident commanders therefore instructed railroad personnel to move the train and its equipment farther east.
After access was established, firefighters were able to reach and extinguish the flames. The department recorded the fire under incident number RIV #26-34784 and reported that it was under control at 5:30 a.m.
BNSF told FreightWaves that the Colton Fire Department also responded. After the fire was extinguished, firefighters turned the affected railcar over to a BNSF representative and company police.
Railroad investigators subsequently assumed responsibility for removing and examining the railcar.
No deaths or injuries were reported, and authorities said there were no evacuations or displaced residents.
BNSF Police lead burglary and fire investigation
BNSF Police are leading the investigation into both the burglary and the fire. At this stage, the railroad has not identified any suspects or announced arrests. It has also provided no information about vehicles involved, financial or cargo losses, or potential service disruptions.
BNSF did not explain how the burglary occurred or whether the fire was caused by the suspects.
“These are not victimless crimes,” BNSF told FreightWaves.
The railroad emphasized that freight trains can carry medicine, food and other critical supplies. BNSF also said its network security protocols are robust and pointed to coordination efforts involving federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies.
Investigators have not provided a timetable for completing the case.
Why the incident matters
Cargo theft can affect freight operations while creating additional challenges for loss assessments and communication with customers.
As the investigation remains ongoing, confirmed information is particularly important for supply chain professionals assessing operational and security risks without drawing conclusions that have not yet been established by authorities.
