A fiery derailment on the Canadian Pacific Railway line happened this morning, December 1, near Macoun, Saskatchewan.
Macoun Mayor Suzanne Kuchinka said she heard about the accident around 9 a.m.
At 3 p.m., smoke was still rising from the site of the derailment. The accident happened about one kilometre from the west entrance to Macoun, a town of approximately 250 people northwest of Estevan.
“There were grain cars and there were a couple of chemical tankers (that derailed),” Kuchinka said, and possibly some petroleum tanker cars.
“There’s approximately 25 homes that have been asked to evacuate.”
Photos of the accident show a massive fire. Some of the tanker cars exploded next to Highway 39, which has been closed since this morning.
Representatives of CP were at the site, but the company has not shared information on the number of cars that derailed or the type of cargo that’s been affected.
First responders from the town of Midale were first on the scene, along with Estevan Fire and Rescue.
Provincial government staff have also responded to the accident.
“It’s very well taken care of,” Kuchinka said.
No injuries have been reported, the RCMP told CBC News.
People who wish to leave their homes can go to the hockey arena in Macoun or in Midale, Kuchinka said.
As of 3 p.m, December 1, the black smoke from the fire was not blowing toward Macoun.
“You’ll never believe it because it’s Saskatchewan, but it’s going straight up,” Kuchinka said.
“It doesn’t happen often in Saskatchewan.”
Kuchinka hopes that Highway 39 will re-open later today.
