A section of Route 9W has reopened following a closure due to a brush fire in Haverstraw.

The section was closed because of power lines and trees up the hill that were unstable.

The brushfires in Haverstraw scorched about 70 acres, 20 of which are protected wetlands that were destroyed. Sadly, quite a few wild animals that lived in those wetlands were killed.                

Witnesses say they saw sparks flying from a CSX tanker train as it traveled through Clarkstown, Stony Point, and Haverstraw.  Those sparks appear to have started fires along the train tracks in three different towns. Rockland County officials say enough people have come forward saying they either saw the sparks or captured it on home surveillance video that authorities are investigating CSX as a possible cause for the fire.     

While CSX officials have yet to take responsibility, their legal team has been visiting homeowners that suffered fire damage.

Rockland County officials say they will be launching an investigation into CSX. "We lost between 50-70 acres, we have thousands of dollars of cost that we incurred here in Rockland County. Hundreds of lives were risked by this fire, hundreds, not just residents but our volunteer firefighters, EMTs, law enforcement, so I don't want to hear from CSX 'Oh well it's not my fault, something happened' and I expect an answer directly. And if you don't give us an answer, we will find out through a criminal investigation," says Rockland County Executive Ed Day.

Clarkstown homeowners that may have sustained damage as a result of the brush fire that occurred in Congers are asked to call the Town of Clarkstown Building Department at 845-639-2100. Leave your name and phone number and someone will follow up.

Anyone with who may have witnessed any of these events, or who may have video footage, is asked to call the Clarkstown Police Department at (845)639-5800.