Raymond, MN (KROC-AM News)- Authorities have ordered evacuations for a small town in west-central Minnesota following a train derailment early Thursday morning. 

Get our free mobile app

The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were notified of a BNSF train derailment around 1 a.m. Emergency responders arrived at the scene and found several derailed tanker cars had caught on fire

Officials say the derailment occurred in the western outskirts of the City of Raymond, which is about 13 miles southwest of Willmar. Authorities then evacuated homes that are within a half-mile radius of the derailment. 

Google
Google
loading...

Evacuated residents with nowhere to go were sent to a shelter set up in Prinsburg, which is about 8 miles south of Raymond. Fire departments from Raymond and surrounding towns responded to fight the tanker car fire. 

Officials say the cars were carrying a form of ethanol and a corn syrup liquid. Authorities say the fire was contained but the derailment site remains active. 

As of 6:15 a.m. Hwy. 23 through Raymond was closed in both directions. Officials plan to release more information on the derailment when a BNSF staff arrive at the scene.

11 of the Most Devastating Weather Disasters in Minnesota Throughout The Years

We might be full of lakes and "nice" but Minnesota has had its fair share of horrible and nasty weather. Throughout the years we've had floods, fires, storms that have crushed stadium roofs flat, and tornadoes that have destroyed lives.

More From KRFO-AM