The West U and Bellaire Fire Departments helped extinguish a railroad car that was engulfed in flames in the 6400 block of Community today.
The fire departments arrived at the scene around 3:16 p.m. to find a rail maintenance car owned by Union Pacific burning on the tracks.
Traffic was halted while firefighters worked to put out the flames.
No injuries were reported, city officials said.
Occasionally, residents of West U and Bellaire are reminded that there is a railroad track running between them. A fire is certainly serious, but I think the derailment in 2007 which caused a spill was a warning. The tracks were there in the 1940s and probably earlier. So many houses on Community back up to the track now, I would think there would be some concern. The location is bound to affect the size and value of these houses. Also, I seem to recall a rumor that someday that grassy space between Bellaire and West U might be a freeway. I would think a good project for developers, etc in West U and Bellaire would be to start planning a future for this land, if possible, that would ensure the enhancement of their cities.