CN train derails; 20 homes evacuated across U.S. border

ST. LEONARD, New Brunswick – Four cars in a 135-car Canadian National Railways train derailed Thursday afternoon, causing the evacuation of 20 homes on the American side of the border in Hamlin.

Officials said Thursday night there were no injuries in the incident. The derailment happened around 4 p.m., American time.

The CN train had cars carrying muriatic acid, propane and butane, according to Vern Ouellette, director of the Aroostook County Emergency Management Agency Thursday night.

Officials evacuated homes within one-half mile of the derailment on both sides of the border.

Ouellette said flames broke out at the site of the derailment, but the fire did not spread.

Shortly after 9 p.m. people were allowed to return to their homes. Hazardous-materials teams found no leaks from the derailed cars, Ouellette said.

“There is one heck of a mess out there, but there are no leaks,” Ouellette said. “There is nothing dangerous, even though there are a lot of chemicals out there.”

Along with Aroostook County Emergency Management Agency, Van Buren firefighters were mobilized to assist the effort on the American side of the border.

Ouellette said the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and firefighters from Grand Isle also assisted at the scene through the afternoon and evening.

While 20 homes were evacuated along Route 1A in Hamlin, Ouellette said he had no idea how many people that involved. The people who were evacuated went to friends and relatives instead of a center that had been opened for them.

Route 1A was closed to traffic for about three miles, Ouellette said.