A small town outside of Minneapolis was ordered to evacuate Thursday morning after a train carrying “a form of ethanol” and “corn syrup liquid” derailed and caught fire.

According to a statement released by the Kandiyohi County sheriff’s office, “Fire departments from Raymond and numerous 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.”

Burlington Northern Santa Fe said 22 cars from the train came off the tracks. The derailment happened around 1 am, with homeowners ordered to evacuate.

“An evacuation area of ½ mile was established around the crash site and law enforcement officers and other EMS assisted with that evacuation.” The statement continued, “Residents were instructed to leave their homes and an emergency collection site for those with nowhere to go was established at the Central Minnesota Christian School building in nearby Prinsburg, Minnesota.”

Although the fire is still in the process of being contained, police officials advise no travel to the city of Raymond. The main train track is blocked with an estimated time for reopening remaining unknown.

This derailment comes nearly two months after the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio and after a series of train derailments throughout the United States.

The cause of the incident remains under investigation, but no injuries have been reported.

Add comment