Residents urge accountability after train-linked fire, cite delayed response and pollution concerns

Several residents used the public-comment period at the Swain County Board of Commissioners meeting to press elected officials for accountability after a fire they said was caused by a railroad.

Terry Stevenson, a Swain County resident who gave his address as 525 Gospel Road, told commissioners he waited two weeks for contact from the railroad after the fire and said the company has not taken sufficient responsibility. "They damaged my property and everybody else's property," Stevenson said. "If you burn somebody's place now, you pay for it. You sure as well don't drag it out and try to cover it up and hide it."

Genevieve Spire, who said she attended multiple meetings about the incident, told the board she lost notable property and described charred trees around her elderly mother's house that she said could fall and cause future damage. Spire also said the railroad had received maintenance grants from the North Carolina Department of Transportation and questioned how those funds were spent. "They had $2,000,000 the previous year that was given to them by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. So I've reached out to them, and I wanna know where they've spent this money," Spire said.

Other speakers echoed concerns about pollution, diesel leakage and safety. Courtney Doze, a lifelong Swain County resident, described ongoing noise and maintenance problems she said affect the community and tourism, and said she appreciated one-on-one contacts from the sheriff's office but wanted broader, consistent responses from responsible agencies. Edward Mercer said residents want substantive answers and suggested the board create time in future agendas for direct responses rather than repeated public complaints.

Speakers said consequences include property damage, erosion of private roads after vegetation burned off, and economic effects on local lodging and businesses that rely on tourism. Several speakers asked the county to demand responsibility from the railroad, seek reimbursements for damages and press state and federal partners for better safety measures.

Commissioners did not take a formal vote on the matter during the meeting. Several speakers requested the board press NCDOT, the railroad lessee and other agencies for information and for quicker direct contact to affected residents.

The public comments also included a call to protect the Fontana Regional Library relationship and praise for local firefighters who responded to the blaze.

Ending: Residents said they will return to future meetings if they do not receive promised follow-up; the board did not announce a county-led investigation or immediate action during the session.