5,000 homes threatened:Propane rail car on fire

MSNBC is reporting a fire that could last for 21 days.

Firefighters on Wednesday will try to siphon propane from a burning rail car in a bold maneuver meant to head off an explosion after the blaze forced the evacuation of thousands of people in a Sacramento suburb.

Officials decided to take the step after consulting with members of a national response team from Houston, who were flown in overnight to offer advice.

Fire officials initially said the blaze could continue for 21 days, but Lincoln Fire Chief Dave Whitt said that scenario was unacceptable. Between 4,000 and 5,000 homes in the city of 40,000 are evacuated and more than 6,000 students are missing their first days of classes, with district schools ordered closed until Monday.

For more, head over to MSNBC