Rockland Sheriff's Report Faults CSX For April Brush Fires

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — As the Rockland Sheriff's Office completed its investigation into a chain of brush fires along the CSX railroad tracks on April 14, residents, businesses and municipalities affected by the fires have been receiving compensation from the company.

"To date, we have helped secure close to $100,000 from CSX for residents who have contacted my staff. The resolution process is ongoing, and we anticipate a total payout of nearly one million dollars," said state Sen. Bill Weber. "This financial relief will be crucial in restoring affected communities and mitigating the damages caused by CSX's negligence."

Nearly two dozen fires broke out from Congers to Stony Point within minutes of each other that Friday afternoon. Soot and embers landed in yards near the railroad tracks, black smoke was visible for miles, and Highway 304 was closed for several hours. A handful of homes were damaged. Three firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion as temperatures hovered near 90 degrees.

A week afterward, county officials were complaining about lack of cooperation from the company as the Sheriff's Office began its investigation, even though a team from the company had arrived the afternoon of the fire and went door to door passing out forms for residents to apply for reimbursement of damages.

Now the investigation has released its findings and conclusion:

• The fires started appearing at 1:47 p.m. in Stony Point as the train increased speed to full throttle. Multiple independent origin fires began appearing from north to south on the wind-protected west side of the tracks as the train went through West Haverstraw and Haverstraw and into Congers.
• Most of the fires were within 40 feet of the tracks on the west side. The exception: the entrance and exit of the tunnel between Haverstraw and Congers, where the track is protected from winds off the Hudson River — and there, brush ignited on both sides.
• The fires stopped appearing after CSX was notified of fires along the tracks and reduced the train's speed.

Investigators conclude that the cause was carbon emissions from the exhaust stacks, which can "undergo glowing combustion for more than a minute, with flaming combustion for more than 40 seconds."

It remains a theory, but investigation of the tracks, examination of the axles, wheels, brakes and undercarriages of the train cars, and multiple video from security cameras and train cameras show "no other possible contributing factor other than the CSX train," the report said.

In light of the report, Weber said he wanted to "hold CSX accountable for their negligence in maintaining train tracks, resulting in multiple brush fires in our community."

Ironically, he had begun working on legislation for train safety at the beginning of April. He now has introduced a bill requiring CSX to maintain its tracks properly in New York and hopes to get it passed in the upcoming session in Albany.

If any individuals or families sustained damage but have yet to make a claim, they should contact his office at 845-623-3627, he said.