Fiery train derailment in Minnesota prompts evacuations
RAYMOND, Minn. (AP) — Authorities say a train hauling ethanol and corn syrup derailed and caught fire in Minnesota and residents within 1/2 mile of the crash were ordered to evacuate from their homes. Kandiyohi County Sheriff Eric Tollefson says in a statement that the BNSF train derailment was reported about 1 a.m. Thursday in Raymond, about 100 miles west of Minneapolis. BNSF said 22 cars derailed and four caught fire, but there were no injuries. BNSF says there was no other hazardous material in the cars. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told CNN that about 14 cars were carrying hazardous materials. BNSF said ethanol was the only hazardous material. Several federal agencies are responding to the crash and Gov. Tim Walz plans to visit the site Thursday.