Officials reported that a train carrying ethanol derailed early Thursday in Raymond, Minnesota, causing multiple rail cars to catch fire and leading to the mandatory evacuation of the town’s approximately 800 residents.

As of late Thursday morning, more than eight hours after the derailment, the fire was still burning, according to a statement from the US Environmental Protection Agency.

“Four cars containing ethanol, a highly flammable product, ruptured, caught fire and continue to burn,” said the EPA, which had members at the scene by 6:30 a.m., CNN reported.

“Four additional cars containing ethanol may also release,” the EPA said. “The local fire department is currently the lead for the response and ordered a mandatory evacuation of the city. The evacuation remains in place.”

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently present in Raymond to carry out air quality assessments following a train derailment that occurred on Thursday.

According to US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, around 14 of the train’s 40 cars were transporting dangerous goods, including ethanol, which caused a fire.

Lena Kent, General Director of Public Affairs for BNSF Railway, reported that the train also had mixed cargo consisting of corn syrup, as reported by CNN.

Despite the passing of more than 8 hours since the accident, the fire was still burning, as per the statement from the EPA.

Written by staff