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Hundreds of Minnesota residents are evacuated as 40-car train containing hazardous material including ethanol DERAILS and bursts into flames – as Pete Buttigieg says he’s watching ‘closely’
- The train derailed in Raymond, Minneapolis, a city with fewer than 800 residents
- The BNSF train was carrying a mixed freight of both ethanol and corn syrup
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Residents have been evacuated after a 40-car train carrying hazardous substances derailed and caught fire in the early hours.
Locals in Raymond, Minnesota, were forced out of their properties after the freight train careered off the tracks at around 1am on Thursday morning.
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe train was carrying ethanol and corn syrup on around 14 of the carriages, which is what sparked the fire.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has confirmed that he is watching the situation ‘closely’ and has spoken out about the incident after being accused of not addressing a similar incident in Ohio last month.
Ohio is suing the Norfolk Southern railroad company over the devastating freight derailment which exposed the village of East Palestine to massive levels of toxic material.
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe train was carrying ethanol and corn syrup on around 14 of the carriages, which is what sparked the fire
There have been no reported injuries in Raymond confirmed yet, and authorities have set up a one-mile perimeter for safety around the site.
It came hours after another Burlington Northern Santa Fe train came off the tracks on Wednesday morning near a grain elevator in Hettinger.
There were no hazardous materials on board, as the cars were transporting grain, and there were no injuries.
However one vehicle struck and damaged a building at the elevator site, but there was no other property damage – unlike the blaze which broke out in Minnesota.
Locals in Raymond have been warned not to travel to the site as officials continue to battle the blaze.
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Secretary Buttigieg told CNN: ‘I have been in touch with the Governor. We have personnel on the ground.
‘Given the hazardous material situation, the most important thing for anyone in the affected area to know you see, you’ve got to pay close attention to any instructions coming from first responders regarding the evacuation or anything else that local officials are telling you.
‘That is for your safety to make sure that no one is injured.’
Nearby Highway 23 has been shut off in both directions between Kandiyohi County Road 1 to Chippewa County Road 1.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has confirmed that he is watching the situation ‘closely’ and has spoken out about the incident after being accused of not addressing a similar incident in Ohio last month
Locals in Raymond have been warned not to travel to the site as officials continue to battle the blaze
Raymond Fire Department announced on Facebook following the incident: ‘The town is being evacuated for precautionary measures. Residents may go to Prinsburg School for shelter.’
BNSF, one of the largest freight railroad networks in the country, said they were investigating the cause of the incident that involved one of their trains.
‘BNSF field personnel are responding to assess the derailment site and will be working closely with local first responders,’ spokesperson for the company Lena Kent told ABC News.
‘The main track is blocked and an estimated time for reopening the line is not available.’
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg also confirmed that officials from the Federal Railroad Administration were at the scene assisting with the response.
‘FRA is on the ground after a BNSF train carrying ethanol derailed early this morning, leading to an evacuation in the area of Raymond, MN,’ Buttigieg said.
‘At present no injuries or fatalities have been reported. We are tracking closely as more details emerge and will be involved in investigation.’
