Train Derails Near Plaster Rock, Residents Evacuated [UPDATE]

A Canadian National train derailed in northwestern New Brunswick Tuesday evening resulting in a huge fire and the evacuation of nearby residents.

CN Rail spokesman Jim Feeny told the CBC that 16 cars left the tracks, including four carrying propane and four carrying crude oil. Feeny said the train was en route to Moncton when it ran into trouble around 7:00 p.m. Atlantic time.

Plaster Rock mayor Alexis Fenner said the derailment happened about five kilometers (3 miles) southeast of the town in Wapske, N.B.   Fire Chief Tim Corbin said as many as 50 homes in the area were evacuated as a precaution.

Several fire departments responded and the single road to the accident site was blocked off.  Emergency personnel were keeping a safe distance due to the danger of explosions. A provincial Hazmat team was also dispatched to the scene, a wooded area near the Tobique River.

A report from a firefighter on the scene Tuesday evening indicated that three cars were on fire. The blaze could be seen for miles around.

Sharon DeWitt, emergency measures coordinator for Plaster Rock, said that the derailed cars appear to have been mostly empty except for some propane residue.

The Plaster Rock Fire Department, CN personnel and the New Brunswick Fire Marshall continued to monitor the situation overnight and expected the fire to burn itself out. Dewitt said there is no danger to residents as the wind is blowing away from the village.

The Canadian Red Cross set up an emergency shelter at the Tobique Plex in Plaster Rock, but all of the people involved in the evacuation spent the night with family or friends.

DeWitt says the evacuation order remains in effect Wednesday and the emergency shelter is available to all the households involved.  Residents are encouraged to call the Plaster Rock Village office with any questions at (506) 356-6071.

There were no reported injuries. Officials said they would wait until daylight to get close enough to assess the situation.

 
Canadian Red Cross Team Deploys to Plaster Rock After Train Derailment