Union Pacific Railroad train derailment, June 3, 2016. (Image courtesy of Patti Gillette Burns.)

Train carrying oil derails along the Columbia River

Newsroom Staff June 3, 2016

Last Updated: June 3, 2016

(Image courtesy of Patti Gillette Burns.)

MOSIER, Ore. (KGW) — An oil train passing through the Columbia Gorge near Mosier has derailed.

The accident happened just after noon. Flames and smoke can be seen from Interstate 84.

The interstate was shut down from The Dalles to Mosier, transportation officials announced just after 1 p.m.

Ken Armstrong, spokesman for the Oregon Department of Forestry, says the incident involves eight cars filled with oil and one is burning. The train was operated by Union Pacific. A spokesman for the railroad didn’t immediately return calls.

Mosier schools reported that they are evacuating students to the Wahtonka campus in The Dalles. Parents are able to pick up their children, if they wish but they may face traffic issues near the I-84 closures.