Post by : Meena Ariff

Cleanup efforts are actively progressing east of Cranbrook, British Columbia, after a train derailment over the weekend resulted in a propane leak and forced several rural properties to evacuate along the Kootenay River.

Officials confirmed that the damaged rail track was repaired by early Sunday, allowing the resumption of train traffic after comprehensive safety checks. Teams are still engaged in removing the derailed cars from the location.

The incident took place approximately 16 kilometres east of Cranbrook in a less accessible area of the railway. Initial reports indicate that around 12 cars were involved, which included lumber and three propane tankers. While most cargo was non-hazardous, some lumber debris from a damaged container ended up in the Kootenay River.

One tank car carrying propane was found leaking while stationed on land. Propane, when released, can rapidly turn into a highly flammable gas, posing significant safety threats. By Sunday, emergency crews had successfully contained the leak and were repositioning the propane tankers along the tracks to ensure safe offloading soon.

The Regional District of East Kootenay issued a mandatory evacuation for five nearby properties and declared a local state of emergency. Both the evacuation order and the emergency declaration were lifted on Saturday evening when officials assured safety to the community.

Jamie Jones, a rancher with a 400-hectare operation close to Wardner, was one of the evacuated residents. While feeding her 750-head cattle, she received instructions to leave immediately. Authorities allowed a brief period for her family to tend to the animals before evacuation. They opted to stay in their vehicle, monitor updates, and returned home on Saturday evening despite temporary accommodations being available.

Though propane is normally odorless, an added scent mimics that of rotten eggs, enabling residents to detect the leak even after evacuating. Jones, who has been on the ranch for over twenty years, remarked on the rarity of such incidents near her property but emphasized vigilance regarding livestock safety due to the nearby rail line.

Authorities have cautioned residents and travelers on Fenwick Road to remain vigilant as cleanup efforts continue and heavy machinery is in the vicinity. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the derailment's cause.

Crews will work for several days to clear the derailed cars, secure any leftover materials, and restore the area fully. Residents can now safely return home, though this incident highlights the potential risks of rail transport in rural regions.

#Train #Canada News