A March 30 train derailment in Minnesota resulted in a fire and evacuation of the area.
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe train, carrying ethanol and corn syrup, derailed in the city of Raymond just after 1 a.m., according to an NPR news report. The derailment resulted in a fire, prompting residents to be evacuated for safety reasons. No injuries were reported, and the incident remains under investigation.
"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," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a Twitter post shortly after the incident. "At present no injuries or fatalities have been reported. We are tracking closely as more details emerge and will be involved in investigation."
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visited the derailment site later in the morning, according to KNSI Saint Cloud. The governor was joined by state emergency management authorities and Federal Railroad Administration officials near the derailment site.
Nearby Highway 23 was closed in both directions from Kandiyohi County Road 1 to Chippewa County Road 1, KNSI reported. Minnesota Department of Transportation and the American Red Cross also deployed personnel to assist displaced residents and to act as a canteen for first responders.
BNSF issued regular updates about the derailment on its website, including news that Raymond residents were allowed to return to their homes and that local authorities and BNSF personnel were working "to mitigate the incident." The evacuation order had been lifted about 11 a.m. that day.
Air and water monitoring were conducted over several hours and found "no detectable levels of concern," BNSF said in its most recent update issued at noon the day of the derailment.
"The number of cars derailed is confirmed to be 22," BNSF said in its final update. "As previously noted, the cars involved included ethanol and corn syrup, but there were no other hazardous materials and no injuries as a result of the incident."
