Repost from The Estevan Mercury
[Editor: Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada is located approximately 10 miles north of the Canada–North Dakota border.  – RS]

Train derailment in Estevan

May 8, 2014  |  by Chad Saxon

Although few details are known at this point, the City of Estevan says there is no danger to the public following a train derailment this morning.

Four tanker cars containing crude oil left the track at around 11 a.m. The incident occurred east of the CP Rail oil transloading facility and just north of the Devonian industrial subdivision.

During a media update at City Hall, Emergency Measures Coordinator Helen Fornwald confirmed the tankers were loaded and that were “no fires or leaks at this time.”

Fornwald said Transport Canada is en route to Estevan and will be conducting an investigation into the derailment.

The City is asking that the public stay away from the scene and allow emergency services and CP Rail clear access.

A cause for the derailment is not known at this time. It occurred on a low speed section of track and was not directly at the transloading facility which has been a source of concern and controversy since it opened in late 2011.

Fornwald added two businesses adjacent to the tracks were evacuated immediately after the derailment while Fire Rescue Services and CP personnel assessed the scene.

“Estevan Fire Services went on the scene and determined the priority level and once it was identified there were no leaks it was downgraded to let’s get this situation under control,” Fornwald said. “We put our EMO team on standby.”

This is the first derailment in Estevan since 2004. In that case, rail cars containing ammonia derailed and forced an evacuation of homes in the immediate area.