A train carrying crude oil derailed in Lynchburg, Va., on Wednesday afternoon, causing a huge fireball that local residents were quick to capture and share on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube while authorities evacuated the area.
"Wow guys. The train derailed right outside my building. Pray that no one is hurt," Instagram user sherifelipe said in a video of the scene posted shortly after 2 p.m. ET.
Twitter users, capturing the scene from afar, documented the fire and giant plume of acrid, blake smoke that followed.
Lynchburg James River pic.twitter.com/OkIcZzWMS5— James Riverkeeper (@UpperJamesRK) April 30, 2014
Photo of train derailment in Lynchburg from WDBJ7 Photojournalist Josh Szymanik pic.twitter.com/VxtGewAmGZ— WDBJ7 (@WDBJ7) April 30, 2014
Pray for Lynchburg. A trail was derailed today in downtown. Photo creds: @Katiebug512 pic.twitter.com/79S6ZknH7B— Give me Liberty (@People_Of_LU) April 30, 2014
Photo of train derailment in Lynchburg pic.twitter.com/SZsit3eKw8— James Riverkeeper (@UpperJamesRK) April 30, 2014
The NTSB tweeted Wednesday evening that it was sending investigators to the scene of the derailment.
The international transportation company CSX, owner of the train, reportedly said its origin was Chicago, headed for an unknown destination in Virginia.
Once the fire was extinguished, CSX tweeted, it was "fully responding to the train derailment in Lynchburg" and "collaborating with environmental experts and first responders on site."
Amazingly, there are no reports of any injuries from the derailment and fire that followed.