WILLMAR, Minn. — Rail traffic through Willmar was halted for about 17 hours Friday and Saturday after five train cars derailed, the Wilmar West Central Tribune reported.
Normal train traffic had resumed by noon Saturday, and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad is continuing to investigate what caused the derailment Friday evening near downtown Willmar, said Gus Melonas, company spokesman.
In addition to delays in train traffic, regular traffic along Litchfield Avenue Southwest in Willmar was snarled Friday night while BNSF employees worked to upright the derailed cars.
Although residents were not evacuated, 15 square blocks of traffic were blocked on the southwest and northwest side of Willmar.
According to the Willmar Police Department, the majority of the roadblocks were removed around 1 a.m. Saturday, about six hours after the derailment was reported.
The derailment was reported at 7:05 p.m. Friday, said Melonas.
The train which derailed had originated from LaCrosse, Wis., and was heading to Grand Forks, N.D.
According to Melonas, the train was pulling onto the main line in the Willmar railyard when five cars derailed.
Two cars that derailed were empty, two contained sodium hydroxide and a fifth car contained a load of steel coil. The three loaded cars landed on their sides as a result of the derailment.
However, no product leaked out of the cars. “There’s no environmental or public threat,” said Melonas on Sunday evening.
BNSF officials are still investigating the cause of the derailment which blocked both main lines of the Willmar railyard, said Melonas.
The lines were opened by noon Saturday and the normal traffic pattern resumed, he said.
No one was injured in the incident.
Personnel from the Willmar Fire Department, the Kandiyohi County Rescue Squad and the Willmar Police Department responded to Friday night’s derailment.
Mutual aid was provided by the Raymond, Blomkest, Kandiyohi and Spicer fire departments.
In addition, the St. Cloud Chemical Assessment Team responded to the derailment and the State Fire Marshal’s Office in St. Paul was also notified of the incident.