BREAKING: Derailed Train in Minnesota Catches Fire, Causes Immediate Evacuation

A BNSF train derailed near Raymond, Minnesota, early Thursday morning, causing residents to evacuate.

Approximately 22 rail cars derailed at around 1 a.m. and one car carrying ethanol caught fire.

Residents living within a half-mile radius of the derailment site were told to vacate their homes.

“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 investigation,” Pete Buttigieg stated.

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

According to a press release, “the site remains active as the fire is being contained, no travel is advised to the city of Raymond.”

🚨#BREAKING: Train carrying Ethanol has Derailed causing it to explode Prompting Immediate Evacuation Orders for Residents within Half-Mile Radius ⁰
📌#Raymond | #Minnesota

Emergency officials have issued an urgent evacuation notice for Raymond City, Minnesota, following a… pic.twitter.com/HljsrnA8gG

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 30, 2023

🚨#UPDATE: Better Photos shows the exact Damage of this Ethanol Train Derailment Prompted Immediate Evacuation Order for Residents within Half-Mile Radius in Raymond City, Minnesota pic.twitter.com/4oj1uW5G3R

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 30, 2023

BREAKING: Evacuations ordered in Raymond, Minnesota, after train derailment and large fire from cars carrying ethanol

🎥 Ashley Lucas pic.twitter.com/wEZ9XshF9S

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) March 30, 2023

Better look at @BNSFRailway 22 car train derailment now that it’s lighter out. Cars carrying ethanol and corn syrup. Been burning since 1am. 1/2 mile radius around crash has been evacuated. @MnDOTsouthwest reporting hwy 23 will be closed until TOMORROW at noon @WCCO pic.twitter.com/pQwxW8jrSk

— Pauleen Le (@PauleenLe) March 30, 2023

CBS Minnesota reported:

Some of the derailed cars were carrying ethanol and corn syrup and started on fire, the sheriff’s office said.

Part of the town near the crash site was evacuated to a school in nearby Prinsburg.

The sheriff’s office said travel is not advised in Raymond. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Highway 23 is closed from Kandiyohi County Road 1 to Chippewa County Road 1 because of the derailment and fire.

BNSF said there were no injuries reported, and there was no estimated time for reopening the rail line.

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The Red Cross also responded to support evacuees and emergency responders.

Raymond is a town of about 800 residents, about two hours west of the Twin Cities and 14 miles southwest of Willmar.

The Minnesota incident adds to the number of train derailments this week.

Train derailments occurred this week in North Dakota and California.

BREAKING: Train Hauling Hazardous Materials Derails in North Dakota