Tankers Upright After Derailment, Evacuation

Two derailed tanker cars filled with 72,000 gallons of propane each were tipped upright Tuesday evening without incident and an evacuation of the surrounding area was canceled, officials said.

The tankers and four other cars derailed in the predawn of Tuesday when they were struck by runaway boxcars in a railyard in the middle of Montana’s largest city.

Officials at the Yellowstone County Emergency Services Center said there were no injuries in the derailment or the subsequent evacuation and cleanup.

An eight-block area of downtown was evacuated as a precaution, said Deputy Police Chief Jerry Archer.

“This is a low hazard operation,” said Fire Marshal Paul Gerber as authorities blocked off the area along the tracks. “The problem is, we’re right in the middle of downtown.”

The evacuation was canceled at 5:40 p.m.

City fire officials complained the operation was slowed by passing Montana Rail Link freight trains. Officials were concerned about sparks from passing trains, and cleanup was stopped when the trains went by. A railway spokeswoman said four trains passed, all during lulls in the operation.

Officials said only a small amount of propane was released, part of normal pressure-valve operations.