Rockland firefighters battle brush fires along CSX rail line

More than 100 firefighters from at least six different departments wrestled with five to six miles worth of brush fires along the CSX train line for nearly two hours Thursday night.

Rockland Fire and Emergency Services Director Gordon Wren Jr. said seven fires broke out in Stony Point, the town and village of West Haverstraw, and the town and village of Haverstraw in a 30-minute span around 4:30 p.m. The fires were knocked before 7 p.m., with firefighters chasing a few hot spots for about an hour after, Wren Jr. said.

There were no reported injuries.

CSX DERAILMENT: 'Close to a miracle'

"These all happened boom, boom, boom in rapid succession," Wren Jr. said. "The guys really hustled and were able to contain it."

Wren Jr. said they'll be talking to CSX Friday to get to the bottom of what caused the fires.

Rob Doolite, spokesperson for CSX, said they believe a piece of debris that was stuck under the train was dragged for miles and caused sparks, which were picked up by 30-mph wind gusts and blown to the brush and grassy area along the tracks. On dry day with temperatures over 60 degrees, the brush and grassy areas caught fire and spread.

The fires come two days after a CSX train hit a boom lift that had stalled on the rails in Newburgh. The train's three locomotives and 14 of its 77 cars jumped the tracks, with the lead engine coming to rest across a road.

Twitter: @ChrisEberhart2