SCOTLAND, S.D. (AP) Seven ethanol tanker cars derailed and at least one caught fire Saturday in southeastern South Dakota, according to Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.
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The 98-car train derailed at about 6:15 a.m. local time near the town of Lesterville, she said.
BNSF Spokesman Andy Williams said a total of nine tank cars derailed in the accident. He says there were no injuries and no nearby structures were threatened by the fire.
After derailment, an unknown amount of the ethanol leaked from the tankers onto a pasture and fire spread along an adjacent creek bed. BNSF Railway spokeswoman Amy McBeth said the company’s estimate to reopen the tracks was 10 p.m. Tuesday.
A BNSF representative did not immediately respond to a message seeking details.
Williams said the investigation at the scene would take three to five days.
“We’ll be assessing any environmental damage”, Williams said.
Firefighters were able to put most of the fire out.
The Associated Press reported the South Dakota derailment earlier Saturday.
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