CN fuel cars derail, explode west of Edmonton
A CN Rail train carrying liquefied petroleum gas and crude oil has derailed and exploded about 80 kilometres west of Edmonton, prompting an evacuation in the tiny community of Gainford.
Parkland County Emergency Services says it received a call about the accident involving a westbound train around 1 a.m. MT Saturday.
The Transportation Safety Board says 13 cars — four carrying petroleum crude oil and nine carrying liquefied petroleum gas — left the tracks along Highway 16 and Range Road 61.
Carson Mills, spokesman for Parkland County, initially told CBC News that two of the cars containing liquefied petroleum gas were on fire. He later updated that number to four cars on fire.
"It's still a volatile situation," Mills said.
The area is under a state of emergency and the entire community of roughly 100 has been evacuated, he said.
There was one "significant explosion" at the time of the derailment, followed by a "smaller one," Mills said, adding there is a risk of further explosions.
No injuries are reported.
Highway 16 traffic has been rerouted north along Secondary Highway 765, westbound along Secondary Highway 633 and returning southbound on Secondary Highway 757.
Mills said people have been told they'll have to stay away from homes in the evacuation zone for at least 24 hours. Traffic in the area will be rerouted for about 48 hours.
