A train derailment near Irvine is pictured Friday afternoon (submitted by Geoff Watson)

By Charles Lefebvre

Ready to return home

Evacuation order lifted for Irvine

Aug 2, 2019 | 11:45 PM

Irvine, AB – Cypress County has officially lifted the evacuation order for the hamlet of Irvine and a seven kilometre radius of the community.

The hamlet was evacuated for nearly eight hours after a Canadian Pacific Railway train derailed Friday afternoon at approximately 3:20 p.m.

According to CP rail, two cars carrying styrene are leaking at a minimal rate from their top valves, though the small leaks are being contained. No other cars in the derailment were breached, the company said in an emailed statement to CHAT News.

“CP has established air monitoring in the area, has fire suppression systems on hand if required, and is taking every precaution to protect public safety as we respond to this incident,” the statement reads.

The county says crews will be working through the night,and residents should expect noise from the cleanup.

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CP says the cause of the derailment is being investigated, and they will work to fully remediate the area when it is safe to do so.