Broken Rail Caused CSX Derailment in West Virginia, Officials Say

The Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration said the Feb. 16 derailment in Mount Carbon, West Virginia, was caused by a rail defect that was  overlooked during two inspections.

FRA said it has issued $25,000 fines against CSX and contractor Sperry Rail Service. The rail administration said it also has received commitment from CSX to use improved technology to assist in inspections.

The February accident resulted in 27 derailed cars, a fire that ignited immediately and eventually burned for days and the evacuation of hundreds of residents, Bloomberg News reported.

Residents near Mount Carbon were forced to flee their homes in frigid weather, and leaking crude oil threatened the water supply from the Kanawha River.