Rockland Sheriff Report Concludes CSX Train Caused Haverstraw/Clarkstown April Brush Fires

Rockland Daily Staff

An investigation by the Rockland County Sheriff's Office concluded that the dozens of April brush fires reported by Rockland Daily here were caused accidentally by the passage of a CSX train in combination with hot, dry weather and the wind driving the fires west.

The brush fires began in the Town of Stony Point along the CSX railroad tracks and continued south along the railroad tracks as the train traveled through the towns andVillages of West Haverstraw, Haverstraw, Clarkstown, and within the Hamlet of Congers. The investigation was unable to locate any other possible ignition sources on the scene or in the videos obtained at the various scenes.

What is likely is that the fires, most of which ignited within forty feet of the tracks, started because of emissions being sent into the atmosphere from the train's exhaust when the train was at full throttle. The ignition of the fires also matched the timing for being downwind and ignited at around the time it would take for emissions to land. An additional proof that the train was the cause of the fire was that when the speed was reduced, there were no resulting fires near the tracks. 

 "As the State Senator representing most of Rockland County," Senator Bill Weber shares with Rockland Daily. "I am proud to have spearheaded efforts to hold CSX accountable for their negligence in maintaining train tracks, resulting in multiple brush fires in our community. The most recent incident in April prompted my immediate action to introduce legislation requiring CSX to maintain the tracks properly. I am fully committed to passing this bill to ensure the safety of our residents. 

The fires caused millions of dollars in property damage and tens of thousands in police and personnel overtime for the municipalities involved.  Addtionally, the Congers Fire Department lost a $1 million truck due to the fires.

"We have helped secure close to $100,000 from CSX for residents who have contacted my staff. We anticipate a total payout of nearly one million dollars. This financial relief will be crucial in restoring affected communities and mitigating the damages caused by CSX's negligence. If any individuals' or families' homes have sustained damage but have yet to make a claim, I encourage them to contact my office at 845-623-3627. We are here to assist and ensure that everyone impacted receives the support they need."

The sheriff's report can be found here.