A decade on: the burning

A runaway freight train exploded in Lac-Mégantic,

LAC-MÉGANTIC, Quebec, continues to witness the passage of freight trains, serving as a constant reminder to its 5750 residents of the catastrophic incident that occurred a decade ago, shattering a tranquil summer night and devastating their city. In the early hours of July 6 2013, amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the Musi-Café bar, customers engaged in social activities, while others peacefully slumbered in their nearby apartments, oblivious to the impending danger.

Unbeknownst to them, an uncontrolled freight train was hurtling towards them at ap- proximately 65 mph (105 km/h). It consisted of 72 tank cars laden with crude oil extracted from North Dakota's Bakken field. At approximately 01:15, it derailed, setting off a series of explosions. The ensuing inferno engulfed the bar, reducing it to ashes and ravaged a significant portion of the city's downtown area, going on to claim the lives of 47 individuals. The impact was particularly severe within Lac-Mégantic's town centre, as over thirty buildings, almost half of the downtown area, were obliterated. Moreover, due to petroleum contamination, all but three of the thirty-nine remaining structures necessitat-