CSX: Three railcars caught fire in Virginia

LYNCHBURG, Va., May 1 (UPI) -- Three of the approximately 15 rail cars from a train carrying crude oil through Virginia caught fire, though no injuries were reported, CSX Transportation said.

CSX provided updates late Wednesday to a derailment in Lynchburg, Va. The company said the fire from three rail cars was extinguished and no injuries were reported from the incident.

The rail company said about 15 rail cars derailed around 2:30 p.m. Eastern time. The train was carrying crude oil from Chicago to Virginia.

"CSX is responding fully, with emergency response personnel, safety and environmental experts, community support teams and other resources on site and on the way," the company said in a statement.

Virginia state officials said the cause of the derailment was under investigation.

More than 40 people died last year when a railcar carrying crude oil derailed in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, prompting a review of the safety of rail transport of hazardous materials.

In April, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board held a two-day forum to review rail safety and Canadian authorities recently issued new regulations meant to increase the safety of crude oil transportation.

An increase in the rate of North American crude oil production has strained existing pipeline capacity, forcing some energy companies to turn to rail as an alternative transit method.