News Contents
Train Carrying Ethanol and Corn Syrup Derails and Catches Fire in Minnesota
Evacuation and Emergency Response
A train carrying “a form of ethanol” and “a corn syrup liquid” derailed and caught fire, forcing the evacuation of a Minnesota town outside of Minneapolis, according to authorities. Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway reported that no injuries were recorded when its train left the tracks near Raymond at around one in the morning local time.
- Residents were told to leave their houses.
- Prinsburg, Minnesota’s Central Minnesota Christian School was used as an emergency collection site for those who had nowhere else to go.
- About 22 mixed-freight cars, including those hauling ethanol and corn syrup, are reportedly derailed, according to BNSF.
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office released a statement saying that “fire departments from Raymond and many area departments responded as several of the derailed tankers started on fire and were determined to be carrying a form of ethanol and others with a corn syrup liquid.” An evacuation area of one and a half miles was established around the crash site and law enforcement officers and other EMS assisted with that evacuation.
According to census statistics, Raymond has a population of about 780 people. The “main track is blocked and an estimated time for reopening the line is not available,” it added. “BNSF field personnel are responding to assess the derailment site and will be working closely with local first responders.”
Other Recent Train Incidents
On Wednesday, a Canadian National Railway Company train crashed near Pittsburgh. “15 railcars containing iron ore derailed,” a CN spokesperson told FOX Business, “near Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania.” Their statement also stated that there were no dangerous products, fires, or injuries on the train. The reason for that incident is still being looked into.
On Sunday, a Canadian Pacific train crashed in a Chicago suburb. Around 12:45 p.m. on Sunday in Franklin Park, which is about four miles south of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, two of the train’s cars veered off the rails.
As of now, there is no indication of what caused the derailment of the train carrying ethanol and corn syrup in Minnesota. However, emergency responders were quick to evacuate the area and assess the situation to prevent any further damage or harm. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with the transportation of hazardous materials and the importance of proper safety measures and emergency response planning.
