A train carrying ethanol derailed in the Raymond district of Minnesota on Thursday morning around 01:00 a.m.
The incident led to a fire in several rail cars and it forced nearby residents to evacuate, officials said.
The train was carrying mixed freight, including ethanol and corn syrup, said Lena Kent, general director of public affairs for BNSF Railway.
Ethanol is a highly flammable chemical. Exposure can lead to coughing, dizziness, the feeling of burning eyes, drowsiness, and unconsciousness.
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office said that homes nearly within half a mile of the incident had to be immediately evacuated.
There were no injuries immediately reported, and railroad personnel will work as the first responders, Kent said.
As of now, the main track is blocked, and an estimated time for reopening the line was not available.
The cause of the derailment is under investigation and further clarification on the issue remains.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has closed a nearby highway due to the derailment and blaze, the fire department said.
The derailment happened nearly two months after another train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio- igniting a days-long inferno, spewing poisonous fumes into the air, and killing thousands of fish.
Shreya Bansal is a student of Journalism. She is an enthusiastic creative and content writer. Shreya is currently working at The Shining Media as a journalist and can be contacted at shreyabansal@theshiningmedia.in
