Casselton getting back to normal after derailment

Inspecting tracks
Unidentified investigators, left, and right, and an unidentified BNSF employee, center, inspect railroad tracks west of Casselton, N.D., on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013. One day earlier an oil train derailment and related explosion a mile west of Casselton prompted a voluntary evacuation of the community. While no injuries were reported and evacuated residents were given the all-clear Tuesday afternoon, the accident is raising concerns about rail safety.
Ann Arbor Miller / For MPR News

Residents of Casselton say life is getting back to normal after an oil train derailment and fire near the southeastern North Dakota community.

Casselton's close call with tragedy

Mayor Ed McConnell was back at his trucking business on New Year's Day, catching up on things he says he typically would have done the day before. He says the incident cost the 2,400 residents of the town a day and a half of their normal lives, but he thinks the community will recover quickly.

The BNS train derailed Monday about a mile from the town, prompting the voluntary evacuation of about two-thirds of its residents. The cause of the wreck isn't known. No one was hurt.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Renee Steen lives about half a mile from the crash site. She says she thinks the response was handled well.

The National Transportation Safety Board is planning another briefing on its investigation into the oil train derailment and fire.

Spokesman Eric Weiss says the briefing is planned for 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Fargo.

The NTSB said earlier that a westbound BNSF train carrying grain derailed first, and a portion of it fell onto an adjacent track carrying the eastbound BNSF oil train. Eighteen cars on the 106-car oil train derailed and burned.