Train derailment closes section of Highway-23 and forces evacuation near Barons

An evacuation order was issued for an area around the village of Barons Monday (Sept 2) morning, as a result of a train derailment south of the community.

The incident happened just before 9:00-am, closing the rail line and a portion of Highway-23. Fire departments from Barons, Nobleford, Picture Butte and Coalhurst were dispatched to the incident and are working with C-P rail on containing leaks of a octane.

Emergency crews at site of derailment – Brandyn Mongomery for LethbridgeNewsNOWethbridge

During a news conference, Lorne Hickey, Lethbridge County Reeve, Lorne Hickey, confirmed a mandatory evacuation order was issued for approximately two kilometres surrounding the site.

“The evacuation includes Keho Lake and golf course and anyone out camping along the edge of the lake, as well as those fishing on the lake. The evacuated area includes everyone from Highway-23, west to Range Road 23-5 and Highway 23 east to Range Rod 23-2, as well as Township Road 12-2 south to Township Road 11-4, with traffic rerouted west bound.”

Hickey did not have a number as to how many people had been evacuated but noted six homes on the south side of the site were evacuated, which included about 25 people. The Village of Barons was on evacuation notice.

“A reception centre has been set up for disabled and displaced people in the Nobleford Community Complex. The phone number there is 403-308-8561. The county website will have updates.”

Hickey explained that Lethbridge County is working with CP Rail and nearby municipal governments, as well as the provincial government agencies to mitigate the situation and the Transportation Safety Board has deployed a team of investigators to the derailment

The cars that are leaking contain Octane, a flammable liquid. Fire crews had two of the leaking cars contained by noon and were working on a third. However, they were being hampered by the fact that the third car is underneath others which need to be lifted off before crews can get to the bottom of the pile.

Derailed train cars – Brandyn Montgomery for LerhbridgeNewsNOW

Hickey noted the situation could have been much worse, as other cars on the train are carrying anhydrous ammonia. If those cars had been compromised, the evacuation site would have needed to be doubled.

At this time, there is no timeline as to when residents will be able to return to the area.

by Dori Modney

Train derailment closes section of Highway-23 and forces evacuation near Barons

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