Crews working to clean up train derailment in Houston County

One vehicle carried sodium chlorate, a salt-like product that is considered risky.

The derailment of the Canadian Pacific train happened around 11:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Six cars ended up partially or entirely in the Mississippi River.

Crews are working to clean-up a train derailment in Houston County.

We need our government to step up the timeline on removing unsafe rail cars from service for flammable hazmat and the legislation needs to include rail cars carrying non-flammable hazmat as well. Three of the cars that derailed, but did not go in the water were carrying sodium chlorate.

“A very small amount of this product leaked when a cap fell off a railcar”, he said, “but none has reached the river”. Sheriff Mark Inglett says it doesn’t appear to be leaking. Sheriff Inglett said that drivers can expect one lane closed to traffic as crews begin the cleanup process. A team from Canadian Pacific is also on the way to the area.

A hazardous materials team from Winona is on the scene to assess the situation.

Brownsville Fire Chief Gary Meiners tells WXOW in LaCrosse, Wisconsin that there are six cars off the tracks with another seven or eight cars unstable behind the derailment.

The Environmental Protection Agency, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Coast Guard and Mississippi River Basin Association were also at the site.

A Canadian Pacific freight train derailed Tuesday night in Houston County, Minn., sending six cars into the Mississippi River and spilling food-grade oil into the water.

The railway runs along the Mississippi River in that area, between the water and Highway 26.

Reno is about 17 miles south of La Crosse.