Firefighters struggling to contain benzene-fueled blaze of freight train

Over 160 firefighters are intervening at a large fire in Hustopeče nad Bečvou, in the Olomouc region, where a freight train carrying benzene, a highly flammable and extremely toxic liquid, derailed and caught fire. The engine and five tankers were engulfed in flames. The village is veiled in thick black smoke and the highest fire-alert level was declared. There are no reports of injuries so far. Traffic on the line has been halted. The fire broke out at midday on Friday and firemen were still struggling to contain it in the late evening. The railway station and nearest houses are 500 metres from the place of the accident. Benzene is known to be carcinogenic and causes leukemia.