No injuries or damages in Whatcom oil train derailment as cleanup, investigations begin The Bellingham Herald 12/24/2020 Robert Mittendorf, The Bellingham Herald (Bellingham, Wash.) Dec. 23—As the last of an oil train fire burned itself out in Custer, investigators, hazardous materials experts and environmental officials began the long task of cleanup and learning what happened. Popular Searches That includes air and water pollutants, Byers said at a press conference Wednesday, Dec. 23. "All of our off-site community levels have been below or at background levels," Byers said. "We will be investigating potential impacts to groundwater. That will take time." Byers said officials have been keeping members of Lummi Nation briefed for potential effects on their resources, which include nearby California Creek, a salmon-bearing stream.