A U.S. freight train carrying crude oil derailed and burst into flames close to the city centre of Lynchburg in Virginia state.<br/> <br />Three tanker cars carrying oil fell down an embankment and more than a dozen tanker cars were involved in the collision.<br/> <br />Hundreds of people have been evacuated from buildings in the city, but no injuries have been reported.<br/> <br />Oil has been spilling into the James river, which flows into Chesapeake Bay.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) LYNCHBURG RESIDENT, SAYING:<br/> <br />"We've heard this noise, we looked out of the window where we were at Shoemakers restaurant and [SPEAKING OVER SHOT OF CRASH SITE] we saw a giant fire ball, the trains were burning and we had to evacuate the building."<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) LYNCHBURG RESIDENT, SAYING:<br/> <br />"As the flames grew, I stood and watched it a little bit, I took a couple of pictures, and then realized this is probably a dangerous situation, especially there were so many tank cars, and then I watched as w
