A corn syrup train derails in Arizona; No injuries

TOPOKE, Ariz. (AP) — A freight train carrying corn syrup — not a hazardous material — derailed in western Arizona near the state’s border with California and Nevada, BNSF Railway said.

Railroad spokeswoman Lena Kent said no one was injured in the derailment near Topoke and preliminary reports did not indicate hazardous materials.

Mohave County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Anita Mortensen said she was not aware of any spills or leaks.

The cause of the eight-car derailment is under investigation, Kent said in a statement.

The main trail is blocked, and Kent said it’s unclear when it will reopen.

The derailment comes amid increased attention on rail safety across the country After last month’s fiery crossing in Ohio and several headline-grabbing derailments since then, including one in MichiganAlabama and other states.

In Arizona, Mortensen previously said the train was carrying hazardous materials. Mortensen said the derailment occurred near Interstate 40 Interstate 9, which is a rural, non-residential area about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Lake Havasu City.

The sheriff’s office notified the National Transportation Safety Board and BNSF, two entities it said would respond to the crash.

The NTSB also did not respond to a request for comment.

Last month, a freight train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed A fire broke out in East Palestine, Ohio, near the Pennsylvania border, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of people.

Officials trying to prevent an uncontrolled explosion deliberately released and burned toxic vinyl chloride from five rail cars, sending flames and black smoke into the sky. This has made people question the potential health effects Although the authorities claimed that they were doing everything to protect people.

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The story has been updated to correct that the railroad said the derailment involved a train carrying corn syrup, not hazardous material.