Railroad files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after Lac-Megantic tragedy

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The downtown core lies in ruins Thursday, July 11, 2013 in Lac-Megantic, Quebec after a train derailed and ignited tanker cars carrying crude. The Maine-based railroad whose oil train caused a fire and explosion that claimed 47 lives has filed for bankruptcy protection. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

BANGOR, Maine – The Maine-based railroad whose oil train caused a fire and explosion that claimed 47 lives in a small town in Quebec has filed for bankruptcy protection.

Montreal, Maine and Atlantic has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S.

Company chairman Ed Burkhardt said previously that a bankruptcy filing was likely because of service disruptions because its rail line remains closed in Lac-Megantic, Que.

The company also faces lawsuits and enormous cleanup costs following the July 6 derailment and disaster.

The train with 72 tankers full of crude oil was unattended when it began rolling, eventually tearing into the town.

Burkhardt blamed the train’s operator for failing to set enough hand brakes.

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