One-third of Clara City evacuated after train derailment
(AP) - It may be hours before all the residents are allowed to return to their homes in Clara City, where a train derailment has forced a partial evacuation.
Mayor Curt Koenen says about 350 people, or about one-third of Clara City's residents, were evacuated after the derailment caused a hydrochloric acid spill early Monday.
Koenen says the ruptured tanker car has stopped leaking, but vapors are still coming off the leak on the ground. He says crews plan to apply soda ash and lime to absorb the spill.
Koenen says the west and north sides of Clara City were evacuated, as well as some area farms.
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The mayor says no injuries are reported, but he says it may be another six hours before people are allowed back in their homes.
A spokesman for BNSF Railway says more than 80 cars on two trains derailed. It happened as a southbound train pulling into a siding derailed most of its cars -- causing cars on an adjacent mainline track to also derail.
The cause of the derailment is not known.
Classes have been canceled Monday in the MACCRAY school district because of the chemical spill.
Clara City is about 95 miles west of Minneapolis.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)