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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Ashland pursues carefully planned growth ... Woman could use clothes, pet supplies ... Mail Tribune 100, Dec. 15, 1915 ... Our View: Ashland pursues carefully planned growth ... Woman could use clothes, pet supplies ... Mail Tribune 100, Dec. 15, 1915 ... PORTLAND Deadly truck crash causes smoky Portland railroad yard fire Comment By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Dec. 13, 2015 at 7:38 PM Updated Dec 13, 2015 at 7:39 PM By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Dec. 13, 2015 at 7:38 PM Updated Dec 13, 2015 at 7:39 PM » Social News PORTLAND — A semitrailer truck hauling fuel crashed into a parked railroad tanker on Sunday, sparking a fire that sent up plumes of black smoke visible for miles. The truck driver was killed, and authorities continued to investigate the cause of the crash, Portland police said Dozens of firefighters rushed to the scene from around Portland and nearby Vancouver, Washington as flames reached 70 feet tall. The rail tankers, which contained liquid asphalt, did not leak. It took firefighters several hours to extinguish the blaze, which began shortly before 9 a.m. in an industrial area along U.S. 30. It burned just south of the iconic St. Johns Bridge over the Willamette River. Nearby businesses were evacuated, the highway was closed and a half-marathon race in the area was canceled as crews responded to the blaze. When the truck crashed, the unknown type of fuel it was carrying leaked underneath railroad tanker cars parked on the tracks, which run parallel to the highway, said Terry Foster, a spokesman for Portland Fire & Rescue. The fuel ignited, burning eight rail cars, one severely, Foster said. "The semi-truck appeared to have gone off the road and crashed into the parked rail cars," he said. The affected rail line is a side track owned by Portland & Western Railroad. The P&W main line was not hit, and the company does not expect any customers to be affected, Mike Williams, a spokesman for parent company Genesee & Wyoming Inc., said in an email. The tank cars "appear to have done their job in preventing any release," Williams said. The BNSF main line, which carries 30 passenger and freight trains a day nearby, was not impacted, BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas said. Neighbor Josh Golden said he was awakened by sirens. When they continued coming, he went outside and saw large plumes of black smoke. "You could see them just billowing up before the bridge," Golden said. By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Dec. 13, 2015 at 7:38 PM Updated Dec 13, 2015 at 7:39 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501