Train Derailment in Iowa Causes Evacuations for Nearby Homes

A train derailment which resulted in a fire caused evacuations in parts of Iowa yesterday. According to Union Pacific spokesperson Robynn Tysver, the impacted cars were carrying hydrochloric acid, potassium hydroxide and asphalt. The derailment happened around 2 p.m. in Sibley and involved 47 cars. The crew was not injured.  Evacuation orders remain in place and the Sibley-Ocheyedan Community School District is operating on a late start schedule today.

Residents who stayed in their homes were advised to ‘open the windows and be positioned in the middle of their homes’ and nearby waterways were shut down. The derailment is still under investigation but it was confirmed that the fire was caused by diesel fuel and the derailment was a result of a bridge collapse.