Fiery train wreck: A freight train derailment sent flames into the air and forced the evacuation of the town of Tiskilwa
Crash scene: Tiskilwa is a small town of about 800 people located about 115 miles west of Chicago
A fiery freight train derailment in north-central Illinois has forced authorities to evacuate an entire town as massive explosions are heard in the area.
The Bureau County sheriff's office says the train derailed early Friday in the town of Tiskilwa.
Capt. Steve Haywood of the Ottawa Fire Department says the train's tanker cars were carrying ethanol being shipped by Decatur-based corn processor Archer Daniels Midland.
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Witnesses have reported hearing explosions.
Capt Haywood told the Tribune that at least six of the 112 freight train cars were on fire, and officials are fearful of liquid vapour explosions.
Many of the town's residents were holing up inside the Indian Valley Inn restaurant.
The owner, Mike McComber, told the Chicago Tribune: 'It's a mess. A quarter to a half mile of cars derailed. Many of them are on fire.'
Mr McComber added: 'Every time one of them explodes, it sounds like a bomb is going off. Three have gone off so far.'
Amanda Knight told the Chicago Sun-Times that the train derailed about 500 feet from her home.
She said: 'There's a lot of fire and big flames. It sounds like a jet coming over the town. That's all I can compare it to.'
There's no word yet on any injuries.
Authorities say the town's evacuees are being taken to Princeton High School.
The train was operated by Iowa Interstate Railroad. A dispatcher with the railroad said company officials were headed to the scene Friday.
Tiskilwa is a village of about 800 people that's located about 100 miles west of Chicago.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2046441/It-sounds-like-bomb-going-Illinois-town-Tiskilwa-evacuated-derailed-tanker-train-cars-explode.html#ixzz1a6DffTpe
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