AMES, Iowa — Twenty-seven cars of a Union Pacific train derailed Thursday afternoon in Ames, briefly leaking propane from one car.
KDSM-TV reports the derailment occurred about 1:30 p.m., with Ames Fire Chief Rich Higgins saying he did send an evacuation notice to nearby industrial plants after the propane leak was discovered. A Union Pacific team closed a valve to stop the leak and dammed off the liquid petroleum gas before it could reach the nearby Skunk River.
The derailment blocked several significant grade crossings in Ames, but all were cleared by 6 p.m.
Derailment cleanup continues. Union Pacific has informed customers that the derailment continues to affect operations between Omaha, Neb., and Cedar Rapids, which could delay shipments through the area for 24 to 48 hours.
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