WYNDMERE, N.D. — Thirty-one cars of a 70-car Canadian Pacific train derailed late Sunday in rural North Dakota, spilling liquid asphalt, KVRR-TV reports.
Richland County Emergency Manager Brett Lambrecht told the station 31 cars derailed and that while the liquid asphalt is flammable, it cools and solidifies in the snow at the derailment scene, decreasing the chance of a fire.
The Fargo Forum reports that two cars containing Ethylene glycol, a flammable liquid, also spilled part of their loads, while another car carrying the flammable gas propylene released some vapors before being plugged. The Forum also reports CP investigators are blaming a broken rail for the derailment.
The derailment occurred about 11:15 p.m., CP spokesman Andy Cummings told WDAY-TV. As of Monday afternoon, the leak had been stopped but the amount of the material spilled was not determined. The rail line could reopen as early as Tuesday, although cleanup is expected to take seven to 10 days.
The derailment site is a mile southeast of Wyndmere, a town of 454 about 60 miles southwest of Fargo.
— Updated March 10 at 8:10 a.m. with additional information on hazardous materials, reported cause of derailment.
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