Train carrying hazardous materials derails and catches fire in Maine

Train carrying hazardous materials derails in rural Maine, residents warned to 'stay clear'

Andrew Mark Miller

A train has reportedly derailed in the state of Maine and officials say they believe hazardous materials were on board.

"Train derailment with fire north of rockwood, hazzard materials please stay clear!" The Rockwood, Maine Fire & Rescue posted on Facebook Saturday. 

The Fire & Rescue team posted a photo of the incident that shows a derailed train and a fire burning in a snow covered forest area.

It is unclear if anyone was injured during the derailment.

Rockwood, Maine, is located on the western side of Moosehead Lake in the northern part of the state roughly 45 miles from the Canadian border.

The railroad tracks in that area of Maine are owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway, Fox 23 Maine reported.

"A total of three locomotive engines and six rail cars carrying lumber and electrical wiring derailed into a wooded area, where they caught fire and started a small forest fire," the Maine Forest Service posted on Facebook. "The fires are contained and are being monitored."

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'Stay clear!': Train carrying hazardous materials derails and catches fire in Maine

Paul Sacca

The latest train derailment occurred in Maine on Saturday. This derailment is especially worrisome since the train was reportedly carrying hazardous material and it caught fire. The train with toxic materials derailed and caught on fire near Maine's largest body of fresh water. 

A train transporting hazardous material derailed on Saturday in Rockwood, Maine. The area in the western part of the state is mostly rural. The train derailment happened near Moosehead Lake – one of the largest bodies of freshwater in the state.

The Rockwood Fire & Rescue warned local citizens, "Train derailment with fire north of Rockwood, hazzard materials please stay clear!"

It was not specified what kind of hazardous materials the derailed train was transporting. 

The Facebook page for the Rockwood Fire & Rescue posted a photo of the train derailment in the snow-covered area near a river.