EDMOND, Okla. – A train ended up becoming more like a flame thrower through Edmond Thursday evening.

The grass fire unraveled for miles through the city. People, not even trained fire fighters, took on the blaze.

“The train went by, and two seconds after that, it caught on fire,” said Chris Alexander.

Alexander works for the BMW dealership off Kelley Ave.

“Everybody needed to hurry up and take cover,” said Alexander.

The train that he saw race by was spitting sparks, leaving in its wake a burn out beamer and a flaming truck before it moved on to other businesses.

The flames were just feet from the Academy Sports and Outdoors store.

“A lot of smoke,” said employee Ryan High-tower. “I mean the whole parking lot was full of smoke. I thought we were going to have to start evacuating, but luckily the fire fighters got in there to stop it.”

Helping the firefighters: a literal bucket brigade made up of employees of a nearby restaurant. Once the conductor realized his train was torching everything it touched, he stopped.

Those back down the line at the BMW dealership were stunned by what it left in its wake.”It’s pretty dramatic,” said Alexander.

Fire fighters were busy with several other grass fires Thursday.

Crews ask everyone to be careful as fire danger remains high, and call if you see smoke.