A train carrying ethanol derailed in Raymond, Minnesota, early Thursday morning, prompting evacuations for homes in the area after the spillage caused several rail cars to ignite.
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office sent emergency personnel to the site of the derailment of a train from BNSF Railways and discovered several derailed tankers on fire that were carrying ethanol and a corn syrup liquid. Fire and law enforcement eventually called for an evacuation for homes within half a mile of the crash site, with officers and EMS employees assisting with the evacuation, per a press release.
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As of Thursday morning, the city of Raymond is not accessible to the public, so people hoping to distribute water and snacks to the firemen were instructed to go to the nearby town of Prinsburg at Unity Church, per the Raymond Fire Department.
"These brave souls have been working hard for hours already and have several hours of work ahead for them," the department said.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tweeted Thursday morning that the Federal Railroad Administration is on the ground at the derailment site. It is unclear what caused the derailment at this time.
"At present no injuries or fatalities have been reported," Buttigieg said. "We are tracking closely as more details emerge and will be involved in [the] 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. At present no injuries or fatalities have been reported. We are tracking closely as more details emerge and will be involved in investigaton.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) March 30, 2023
This derailment involving dangerous chemicals follows the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, two months ago that resulted in a days-long fire that released chemical toxins into the environment and killed thousands of fish. Several East Palestine residents have complained of side effects such as nausea, headaches, and rashes.
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Ethanol is a highly-flammable chemical that, if someone is exposed, can cause burning eyes, drowsiness, coughing, dizziness, and unconsciousness.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office.