Illinois Department of Transportation (I-DOT) crews and Crecent-Iroquois firemen are monitoring traffic in dealing with an overturned semi tanker along U-S Route 24.
A single tank car on an eastbound T.P. & W. freight train is on its side between County Roads 1600 E and 1800 E. The derailed car, which the railroad reported was leaking denatured-alcohol, was the last car of the 74-car train.
No injury was reported. The leaking alcohol was contained. Crescent City fire personnel responded. As first responders on the scene, C-I fire secured the scene. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and a HazMat Team was notified. ESDA contacted the state EOC (Emergency Operations Center). ESDA was also contacted by the EPA for an update on the seriousness of the incident.
C-I Fire Chief Dean Storm reported the minor leak was contained.
Iroquois County ESDA and Red Cross were in communication in the event evacuations may become necessary.
Illinois State Police, Watseka Police and I-DOT are providing assistance in detouring Route 24 traffic. In addition to the detour, which includes the shutdown of Route 24 between Watseka and Crescent City, C-I firemen and mutual aide responders have closed county route 1700 to the south due to potential drifting of fumes.
I-DOT expects Route 24 to remain closed overnight. Railroad crews are expected on the scene Saturday to pump the alcohol from the overturned tanker and upright the unit.
The cause of the derailment was under investigation.