TISKILWA, Ill. (AP) — Officials say fire from a freight train loaded with ethanol that crashed and exploded in northern Illinois is contained and the immediate threat to an evacuated village has passed.
The derailment Friday forced the evacuation of the village of Tiskilwa (TIHS’-kihl-wah), which has about 800 residents. There’s no word of any injuries.
Bureau County Emergency Management spokesman Les Grant says the evacuation was strictly precautionary. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency spokeswoman Maggie Carson says ethanol fumes are expected to burn off without long-term effects for residents.
The railroad says 26 cars on the 131-car train derailed, including seven to nine loaded with ethanol. Residents reported hearing explosions after the cars left the tracks with bright orange flames and plumes of smoke that could be seen miles away.
