Propane-laden train derails, sparking fire and forcing evacuation

PRINCETON, Ind. — A freight train derailed and several train cars caught fire in southwest Indiana, forcing a mandatory evacuation. The Gibson County Sheriff’s Office says in a statement that the train derailed on Sunday evening about 2,100 feet west of a trailer park along U.S. 41 in Princeton.

The department says several 911 calls came in reporting the derailment and an explosion.

The Whiteriver Hazelton Fire Department posted images of the scene on Facebook.

No injuries were immediately reported.

Rail operator CSX says preliminary reports show that a rail car carrying propane had a release. It says the train had two locomotives, 89 loaded railcars and 9 empty railcars.

The cause of the derailment is under investigation.

First responders went door-to-door to evacuate all businesses and residences within a 1-mile (1.61-kilometer) radius of the derailment.