Key Takeaways
- At least five properties in a rural area in the Regional District of East Kootenay, B.C. have been ordered evacuated due to a train derailment
- The derailment occurred northwest of Bull River along the Kootenay River and Fenwick Road, with 12 cars involved, including some carrying wood products and propane
- No injuries were reported, but the regional district has issued a state of local emergency due to the potential threat to people and property
- The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has deployed two investigators to examine the site
- Displaced residents can call emergency support services at 250-489-6977 for assistance
Introduction to the Incident
The Regional District of East Kootenay in British Columbia has issued an evacuation order for at least five properties in a rural area due to a train derailment that occurred on Saturday morning. The derailment happened in a remote area about 16 kilometers east of Cranbrook, and the regional district has issued a state of local emergency in response to the incident. The emergency response webpage of the regional district states that the derailment poses an existing or imminent threat to people and property in the area known as Electoral Area C.
Details of the Derailment
According to Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), the railway company involved in the incident, about 12 cars were derailed, including some carrying wood products as well as tanker cars carrying propane. The company has stated that there were no injuries in the incident, which occurred at around 7 a.m. on Saturday. CPKC crews and equipment have responded to the site to conduct a full assessment and begin work on a cleanup. The company has also issued a statement saying that it is working to determine the cause of the derailment and to ensure the safe removal of the derailed cars.
Response to the Incident
The regional district’s emergency operations centre director, Christina Carbrey, has stated that the evacuation order was issued out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of residents in the immediate area. The evacuation order will remain in place until the area is deemed safe for residents to return. The RCMP and railway police performed a tactical evaluation of the situation on Saturday morning, and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada has deployed two investigators to examine the site. The RCMP has deferred further comment to the railway company and the TSB, as they are the lead investigators in the incident.
Support for Displaced Residents
Displaced residents who have been affected by the evacuation order can call emergency support services at 250-489-6977 for assistance. The regional district is providing support to those who have been displaced, and residents are advised to follow the instructions of local authorities to ensure their safety. The evacuation order is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of residents, and the regional district is working to determine when it will be safe for residents to return to their homes.
Investigation and Cleanup
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada will lead the investigation into the cause of the derailment, and the railway company will be responsible for the cleanup and removal of the derailed cars. The investigation will aim to determine the cause of the derailment and to identify any measures that can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The cleanup and removal of the derailed cars will be a complex process, and the railway company will need to ensure that the area is safe for residents to return before the evacuation order can be lifted.
Conclusion
The train derailment in the Regional District of East Kootenay has resulted in the evacuation of at least five properties and the issuance of a state of local emergency. The incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and response, and the need for collaboration between local authorities, emergency services, and railway companies to ensure public safety. The investigation into the cause of the derailment and the cleanup and removal of the derailed cars will be ongoing, and residents are advised to follow the instructions of local authorities to ensure their safety.
