The Latest: Highway reopens after Indiana train derailment


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PRINCETON, Ind. (AP) — The Latest on a freight train derailment and fire in Indiana (all times local):

3 p.m.

Authorities have lifted an evacuation order and reopened a major highway that was closed due to the derailment of a train that caught fire in southwestern Indiana.

The Gibson County Sheriff's Office says the evacuation in Princeton is being lifted and residents will be able to return to their homes.

It says U.S. 41 through the city is now open.

The highway was closed and a mandatory evacuation of nearby homes and business was ordered after 23 freight train cars derailed Sunday night, including some loaded with french fries.

The derailment occurred about 150 miles (240 kilometers) southwest of Indianapolis.

11:25 a.m.

Indiana State Police say the smoke from a derailed freight train is mostly coming from burning refrigerated cars carrying french fries.

Police spokesman Sgt. Curt Durnil told reporters Monday that no one was injured in the derailment Sunday evening in Princeton. He says 23 freight train cars left the tracks, including some loaded with french fries.

The derailment about 150 miles (240 kilometers) southwest of Indianapolis forced the evacuation of nearby homes and businesses.

Durnil says rail operator CSX plans to remove some of the train cars to allow better access to the burning cars. He says the state fire marshal's office and CSX are monitoring air quality.

Princeton fire Chief Mike Pflug tells the Evansville Courier & Press that crews will probably let the fires burn out.

___

8:30 a.m.

A freight train derailed and several train cars caught fire in southwest Indiana, forcing the mandatory evacuation of nearby homes and businesses.

The Gibson County Sheriff's Office says in a statement the train derailed Sunday evening about 2,100 feet (640 meters) west of a trailer park in Princeton, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) southwest of Indianapolis.

The department says several people reported an explosion.

No injuries have been reported. An image posted on Twitter by state police showed the fire burning Monday morning.

Rail operator CSX says preliminary reports show a rail car leaked propane. It says the train had two locomotives, 89 loaded railcars and 9 empty railcars.

The derailment's cause is under investigation.

First responders went door-to-door to evacuate people within a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) radius of the derailment.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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