BREAKING NEWS

Train derailment prompts shelter-in-place in Mansfield

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No one was injured following a freight train derailment near Route 32 in Mansfield Thursday, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says. Around 9 a.m., a 43-car New England Central Railroad freight train was traveling south and derailed along the Willimantic River.
WTIC
Officials say 14 cars derailed, including six that contained liquid propane. Some of those cars also fell into the river. A conductor and engineer were on the train at the time of the derailment, but no one was injured. DEEP says one of the derailed cars that was carrying cooking grease leaked 2,500 gallons but was contained. Along with propane and grease, some of the cars had lumber and grain on board. A shelter in place order was issue for residents who live within a half a mile of 1090 Stafford Road in Mansfield. A local state of emergency was also declared by the Town of Mansfield in order to facilitate a response and a cleanup operation.
Route 32 remains closed between 44E and Route 275. There is no evacuation order for the area around the derailment. Hazmat teams are on scene to respond to any leaks or breaches. DEEP says heavy duty clean up equipment is en route to the scene. Cranes are expected to arrived tonight and additional equipment will be there tomorrow. The cleanup is expected to take a few day, officials say. Officials are asking people to avoid the area and find alternative routes. Local fire and emergency responders, Hazmat teams and DESPP's Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security are at the scene, DEEP, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Federal Railroad Administration and the railroad company are also on scene.