10 ethanol tanker cars derail, 2 catch fire in South Dakota

10 ethanol tanker cars derail, 2 catch fire in South Dakota photo 10 ethanol tanker cars derail, 2 catch fire in South Dakota

BNSF Railway train carrying ethanol derailed in rural South Dakota, starting a fire and forcing detours on the company’s main track.



BNSF spokeswoman Amy McBeth says the 98-car train carrying ethanol derailed at about 6:15 a.m. between the towns of Scotland and Lesterville. No injuries or damage to nearby structures have been reported.

Rettig said one rural road was shut down as firefighters who responded from Scotland, Lesterville, Menno, Tyndall and Tabor worked to extinguish the blaze.

BNSF fire and hazardous material response teams are responding.

Five local fire departments are involved, as are the Bon Homme and Yankton county sheriffs.

Scotland Fire Chief Mike Mehrer says there was a “pretty good fireball” when they arrived about 6:30. “The biggest reason we might have sprayed any water is to cool the tanks”. Now, they’re focuses is on cleaning up. He said no cause for the derailment had been determined. He said their crews would work to move the damaged cars away from the accident site.

Updates report that 7 cars derailed, reports indicated 10.

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