(UPDATE: Nov. 30 @ 1:30 pm) - The evacuation order for a handful of residences outside of Cranbrook was rescinded last night after officials confirmed there was no longer a risk to the public following a train derailment.
The evacuation order had been in place since Saturday afternoon and impacted five properties northwest of Bull River along the Kootenay River and Fenwick Road.
“Residents and travellers on Fenwick Road are asked to exercise caution in the coming days as CPKC will have equipment and vehicles utilizing the road during their clean-up efforts,” said Christina Carbrey, regional emergency operations centre director, in a Saturday night update.
An update from the provincial government stated that of the 12 rail cars involved in the incident, most contained non-dangerous goods.
One railcar carrying lumber has broken and wood products have entered the Kootenay River. Three propane tankers were among the involved railcars and one, which is located on land, is reported to be leaking.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City crews and equipment remain on site.
(Original story: Nov. 29 @ 4:10 pm) - A train derailment east of Cranbrook has forced the evacuation of five properties along the Kootenay River.
According to Canadian Pacific Kansas City, the incident occurred approximately 16 kilometres east of Cranbrook around 7 am Saturday.
There were no injuries and approximately 12 railcars were involved in the incident, including ones carrying wood products and tanker cars carrying propane.
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As a result, the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) has issued an evacuation order for five properties northwest of Bull River along the Kootenay River and Fenwick Road.
“The tactical evacuation was performed by RCMP and CP Police in response to the evolving situation,” said Christina Carbrey, regional emergency operations centre director.
The RDEK has also issued a state of emergency for Electoral Area C, something that is required when an evacuation order is issued.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) announced earlier today that it was deploying a team of investigators following the derailment.
CPKC crews and equipment have responded to the site to conduct a full assessment and begin cleaning up the area.
The cause of the derailment is under investigation.
Earlier this month, a CPKC train derailed outside of Kamloops and spilled more than 70,000 litres of aviation fuel.
Work continues along Kamloops Lake to clean up the aftermath of the derailment.
