July 18, 2026 8:36 AM

Freight Train Locomotive Catches Fire near I-40 Saturday Night

ESSEX, CA. (Pain In The Pass) >> A Burlington Northern and Santa Fe (BNSF Railway) locomotive caught on fire Saturday night in San Bernardino County.

Around 9:11pm on June 7, 2025, San Bernardino County Fire were called to the area of Goffs Road/Route 66 in the town of Essex on a report of a train that was fully engulfed in flames. Essex is a small unincorporated community in San Bernardino County next to Interstate 40 and about 30 miles from the city of Needles.

Fire appears to have started in engine of lead locomotive. The crew evacuated safely from the train.

 The SBCFD said it took firefighters over an hour to get the fire under control and the locomotive was deemed a total loss. Also, they prevented any threat to surrounding desert vegetation.

No injuries were reported.

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Cajon Pass
8:36 am, Jul 18, 2026
temperature icon 76°F
clear sky
Humidity: 35 %
Pressure: 1016 mb
Wind: 12 mph
Wind Gust: 13 mph
Clouds: 6%
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 5:50 am
Sunset: 8:00 pm
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