WADENA, Saskatchewan — A Canadian National Railway Company freight train carrying dangerous goods has derailed in central Saskatchewan in Canada and has caught fire.
The Saskatchewan government said Tuesday the derailment happened near the small community of Clair, which is being evacuated.
A highway has been closed in the area.
Provincial officials said hazardous materials crews were en-route. CN spokesman Jim Feeny said the fire is coming from petroleum distillate, which spilled from two of the derailed cars.
“They had fire and smoke,” Feeny said. “The crew is not injured, but we have reports from the local authorities that some nearby residents in the rural area have been evacuated.”
A witness told a local radio station that the flames are at least 30 meters (100 feet) high.
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board said it is deploying a team of investigators to the site.
An oil train exploded and killed 47 people in Quebec last year.