Freight train carrying ethanol derails in Fairmont, local traffic stalled

A freight train derailed in Fairmont Wednesday afternoon, shutting down traffic in the area.

According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the train derailed on North Bixby Road near the local fairgrounds at about 2:07 p.m. Officers from the sheriff’s office and the Fairmont Police Department responded after receiving several 911 calls reporting the incident.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers found that the train had derailed and blocked County Road 39’s crossing, just north of County Road 26. Roughly eight cars came off the track and four overturned, according to a press release from Fairmont police. The containers were filled with ethanol.

Law enforcement has shut down northbound traffic at County Road 26 and 190th Avenue and southbound travel at 130th Street and 190th Avenue. They say traffic will be re-routed.

The sheriff’s office has urged people to avoid the area for their safety and be prepared for delays, as the area will be closed off for an extended time.

The derailment remains under investigation.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, State Fire Marshall’s Office, Hazmat Chemical Assessment Team of Mankato and the local police, fire and highway department personnel are all assisting.