(UPDATE, 7:44 p.m.) The Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District says that they, in coordination with Montana Rail Link, identified the products involved and determined that there were no hazardous materials posing a threat to public safety.
Guests at the water-front cabins were evacuated as a precaution.
The railcars that reached the river were empty or carrying Coors Light and Blue Moon beer; the cans are not floating down the river and are secured in the derailment area.
The single railcar of concern was carrying butane. It was partially off the tracks but not leaking. Visual inspection and utilizing a gas meter did not detect any leaks.
We will update you if we get more information.
(UPDATE: 1 p.m.) MTN News contacted Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort to see if the derailment had an impact on the popular business.
According to general manager Denise Moreth, they have evacuated some of their river cabins due to noise and potential risk to the area.
Moreth also said the resort is almost full every day and the derailment “is an inconvenience to the comfort and stay of their guests.”
As the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office previously told MTN, there is no hazard to the area. However, Moreth says one of the derailed train cars is near the cabins
(UPDATE, 12:44 p.m.) According to the Sanders County Sheriff's Office, at around 9:20 a.m. on Sunday , they received a report of 25 cars that derailed across the river from Quinn's Resort between mile markers 19 and 20 on Highway 135.
The Sheriff's Office said there are no hazardous materials on the cars. According to the Sheriff’s Office, they were filled with products such as canned food products and clay.
One car was a refrigerated car, but it is unclear if any materials were in the car at the time of the derailment.
Some of the cars appeared to be empty.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, there is powder seen coming from some of the cars. It’s believed that powder is made of clay.
At this time the fire officials are on scene as well as Montana Rail Link. The rail company of the train is unknown at this time.
There are no reported injuries.
Powder can be seen coming from some of the train cars, according to the Sheriff's Office which is believed to be powdered clay.
Fire officials are on the scene as well as Montana Rail Link representatives. The rail company operating the train is unknown at this time.
(FIRST REPORT, 2:09 p.m.) Several train cars derailed Sunday morning into the river west of Paradise in Sanders County.
The incident is across from Quinn's Hot Springs and Montana Highway 135.
We will update you if we get more information.
