BNSF Train Carrying Ethanol Derails in Minnesota
AllSides Summary
A Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) train carrying ethanol derailed in Raymond, Minnesota early Thursday morning. Some of the 780 residents in the town, which is outside Minneapolis, were forced to evacuate when the train caught fire.
Key Details: The train of approximately 22 cars carrying corn syrup and ethanol came off the track around 1:00am; no injuries were reported. BNSF is sending a team to Raymond to access the situation, and the Federal Railroad Administration will also be sending officials to the scene. There is no estimated time for reopening the BNSF rail line.
Key Quotes: "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," the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
For Context: The train derailment in Minnesota comes after a Canadian National Railway Company train derailment near Pittsburgh on Wednesday, and a toxic Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio on Feb. 3. The derailments have sparked outrage and safety concerns from residents, and have caused lawmakers to call for tighter safety standards.
How the Media Covered it: Sources across the political spectrum covered the Minnesota BNSF derailment, with many noting the recent train derailments in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
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From the Center
Evacuations underway after BNSF train derails in Minnesota
Evacuations are underway in the city of Raymond after a Burlington Northern Sante Fe (BNSF) train derailed and caught fire early Thursday morning.
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center was notified of the train derailment at approximately 1 a.m. CT. Emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene, according to the Kandiyohi Sheriff’s Office.
According to a press release, numerous rail cars were derailed on the western edge of the city, within the city limits. Several of the tankers caught fire, burning ethanol and corn syrup liquid the train had been hauling.
BNSF confirmed the derailment...
From the Left
Residents evacuated after train carrying ethanol derails, catches fire in Raymond, Minn.
A BNSF train carrying ethanol and corn syrup derailed and caught fire in the west-central Minnesota town of Raymond early Thursday, and residents living near the scene were evacuated in the middle of the night.
More than 20 tanker cars jumped the tracks on the west side of the Kandiyohi County community about 110 miles west of the Twin Cities just after 1 a.m., said Lena Kent, a spokeswoman for the railroad.
No injuries were reported and BNSF is sending a team to the scene assess the situation, she added....
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