People in Gainford, AB still evacuated after train derailment
Posted October 21, 2013 6:40 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
GAINFORD, AB (NEWS1130) – It’s still going to be awhile before people living in the village of Gainford, Alberta can return home, following a fiery train derailment.
About 100 people left their homes early Saturday after a CN freight hauling crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas derailed 80 kilometres east of Edmonton. Thirteen tanker cars ran off the tracks, causing two huge explosions and a massive fire that’s still burning.
In an effort to speed up the burn of liquefied petroleum gas in some of the cars, explosive charges were set off late yesterday.
“Authorities agreed this was the safest and most effective way to allow citizens to return to their homes as quickly as possible,” says CN spokesperson Emily Hamer.
Transportation Safety Board investigators will move in to determine the cause of the accident once the fire is out and the wreckage cools off.
People living in the area say the explosions and fire were terrifying, but there were no injuries and no major property damage.
A spokesperson with the municipality, west of Edmonton, says residents likely won’t be able to return to their homes until at least tomorrow. Jackie Ostachek is asking them to keep receipts for accommodation and food, so they can be reimbursed.
The CN freight train carrying oil and liquefied gas ran off the rails early Saturday morning, sparking a huge fire.
A spokesman for CN defends rail safety saying more than 99 per cent of all the dangerous goods they move by rail arrives at its intended destination without incident.
