Train Derailment a Little Close to Home.

[Santa Fe buff]

As you may know, I live in Bourbonnais, IL, Kankakee County.

Look at what happened in Grant Park, IL yesterday (January 18). Grant Park is about 10-20 miles away from Bourbonnais... Thank goodness nothing affecting us!

Between 50 and 100 people are being evacuated from Grant Park following a train derailment involving hazardous materials.

Kankakee County Sheriff's Police Chief Deputy Ken McCabe said between 15 and 20 cars derailed that were carrying a liquid product — including two cars which contained small amounts of denatured alcohol. The Grant Park Fire Department evacuated several city blocks, and officials have closed several roads near the area of the derailment. The freight train derailed at 7:52 p.m. on the northbound Union Pacific line just north of downtown Grant Park.

"They are treating it as a hazmat," said McCabe, noting the alcohol product is flammable.

No injuries were reported, and the damage has been contained to railroad equipment and property, McCabe said. A local company, IVEX Corp., located at 221 E. Greenwood Ave., has also been closed and police are blocking off the area and redirecting traffic. The Kankakee County Emergency Operations Center was activated initially, but closed several hours later after officials determined the situation did not represent a widespread threat to the public.

Grant Park Fire Department officials said residents are being relocated at a warming center at Community Park. Several residents who contacted The Daily Journal said were being directed to Grant Park High School. But few if any residents could be found at those locations on Sunday evening.

Josh

[9911A E5]

Hey Santa Fe Buff i live in that same town. That is kind of scary and thank god it is not affecting us.