Burglary hits moving BNSF train, sparking container fire in Riverside

Burglars broke into a moving BNSF freight train near Riverside, California, early Thursday, prompting a fire that drew 19 firefighters to the scene. The blaze was brought under control by 5:30 a.m., with no injuries or evacuations reported.

The train was traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago when crews located it moving east between Spruce and Columbia streets after initial reports placed it west of downtown. Riverside Fire Department deployed 19 firefighters, four engines, one truck and a chief officer, with Colton Fire Department also responding. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and recorded control at 5:30 a.m., and the incident was logged as RIV #26-34784. BNSF Police are leading the investigation into the burglary and fire, though no suspects, arrests, vehicles, losses or service disruptions have been identified.

What we know

• The train was traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago.

• Riverside Fire Department deployed 19 firefighters.

• Firefighters recorded control of the blaze at 5:30 a.m.

• The incident was identified as RIV #26-34784.

• Officials reported no deaths, injuries, evacuations or displaced residents.