A train hauling ethanol derailed in Raymond, Minnesota Thursday morning, forcing the evacuation of homes within a half-mile of the accident.
The train derailed around 1am Central Time, according to the Raymond Fire Department. There were no immediate reported injuries.
The train was carrying mixed freight that included ethanol, according to Lena Kent, the general director of public affairs for BNSF Railway.
Ethanol is highly flammable. Exposure and inhalation can lead to coughing, red and burning eyes, headaches, drowsiness and ultimately unconsciousness.
The cause of the train derailment is under investigation. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg confirmed on Twitter that the Federal Railroad Administration “is on the ground after a BNSF train carrying ethanol derailed early this morning, leading to an evacuation in the area of Raymond, MN.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the February 3 the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio that sparked a fire and a miles-wide toxic chemical spill.
Earlier this month, a bipartisan group of Senators introduced a new bill aimed at strengthening rail safety. It includes “new safety requirements and procedures for trains carrying hazardous materials,” as well as a mandate that railways give advance notice to state emergency response officials about what their trains are carrying. The bill also includes requirements to prevent blocked railway crossings and new rules for train size and weight.
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the U.S. experiences an average of 1,704 train derailments each year.
