Tiskilwa train derailment update

A freight train derailed on Tiskilwa’s east side early this morning, causing the evacuation of the village.  Twenty-six cars on a 131-car train derailed and a half-dozen or more containing ethanol caught on fire.  Residents said it sounded like an explosion.  The flames, 100 to 200 feet high, and smoke could be seen for miles.  Now the danger has passed, says Les Grant of the Bureau County Emergency Management Agency.  He says the fire is contained and they’re just waiting to decide what to do next.  Grant stresses there are no injuries and no structural damage.  As a precaution, village residents were evacuated to Princeton High School.  As of this afternoon, Grant was advising residents NOT to return to their homes yet.  He also says they cannot just allow the ethanol to burn itself out because the tankers are getting too hot.  Instead, firemen are using foam to put out the fire and water to cool the tankers.  But Grant stresses that the fire is contained.  The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is on the scene.  Spokesperson Maggie Carson says they’re making sure ethanol spilling from rail cars doesn't seep into waterways.  Carson says it's not clear yet when the residents will be able to return to their homes or how long cleanup efforts will take.  The National Transportation Safety Board is dispatching a six-person team to investigate as well.