A train derailed in Sibley on Sunday afternoon, a large blaze could be seen, and part of the town was in the process of being evacuated as of 2:20 p.m. Details were sketchy at first, but according to the Osceola County Emergency Center, the derailment happened at about 1:20 p.m. near Jeddeloh Motors. The Sibley, Ashton, Little Rock, Melvin, Ocheyedan, and Sheldon fire departments were sent to the scene. Hazmat crews from Sioux City were also out on the scene.
Melvin Fire Department was called out to Sibley at 2:40, for mutual add and traffic control. They were on were there for 6 hours. With 3 men staying for another 2 hours according to Doris Remmers.
It is reported that 47 railcars came off the tracks. The train was hauling ammonium nitrate, an explosive fertilizer. The impacted cars were carrying hydrochloric acid, potassium hydroxide and asphalt. There were no injuries to the crew. Union Pacific is working with local first responders at the scene. Some reports say the derailment was due to a bridge collapse but officials say that was not the cause that the bridge was destroyed during the derailment but both of those claims have been dismissed. The derailment is still under investigation.
Evacuations were ordered for residents and businesses located west of 2nd Ave (Old HWY 60) in Sibley. Residents that were sheltering in their homes, were recommended to open their windows on both sides of their homes and have people positioned in the middle of their homes. This was a preventative safety measure in case one of the rail cars explodes.
A reception center for individuals that needed sheltering was located in Ashton at the American Legion Hall.
In another update from Emergency Management on Sunday evening. Union Pacific set up an account at McDonalds and Hy-Vee in Sheldon to help provide a free meal for individuals that live in the impacted area in Sibley.
Union Pacific set up a phone number to provide additional support / answer questions for the individuals that live in the impacted area in Sibley. The phone number is 877-877-2567 option 1.
As of Monday morning some portions of Sibley remained under evacuation until further notice but the rest of Sibley was open. Due to the train accident and evacuation Sibley-Ocheyedan school had a two hour late start on Monday morning.
It is reported that the smoke could be seen from Luverne, MN.
Union Pacific Hazmat team has been on-site throughout Sunday night into Monday to help address the spill. First responders have worked since Sunday afternoon on the derailment and are now preparing a plan to start removing the railcars. The plan is currently to allow the fire to burn itself out as responders continue to pump water on it. Officials say there is no threat of an explosion due to the fire at this time.
John Wills State Representative District 1 wrote this statement “I just received a briefing on the train derailment South of Sibley.  I am so proud of the first responders — Firefighters, EMS, Sheriffs office who have responded professionally.  Union Pacific Railroad, whose train derailed has high praise for all the people working on the accident site.  They are dealing with some very adverse conditions to include chemicals. The threat to explosion has been nullified.  We know the impacted cars were carrying hydrochloric acid, potassium hydroxide and asphalt.  This is a worse case scenario for our professional volunteer fire department and our emergency services.  It has been determined that the best thing to do is allow the fire to burn itself out and that could be 12 hours or it could be 2 days.  They are pumping 10,000 gallons of water per minute to keep the fire cooler.  The bridge did not collapse as was the rumor, the bridge was destroyed by the derailment.  Union Pacific thanks the public for pitching in and taking care of the workers.  They said they have so much food and water for the workers they can’t even eat it all.  I am proud of my small town Iowa…it is Iowa Nice!  Thank you to all who have participated.”
Robynn M. Tysver a representative from Union Pacific responded with an update Monday afternoon “Union Pacific crews worked with first responders through the night, and are preparing a plan to fight the fire and begin the recovery effort to remove rail cars. We know the impacted cars were carrying hydrochloric acid, potassium hydroxide and asphalt. “
Tysver added “One of the cars had been carrying liquid ammonia nitrate. It was empty at the time of the derailment, but there was likely residue inside the car. Union Pacific’s Hazmat team has been on site all night and deployed boom into Otter Creek. The voluntary evacuation order remains in place, as ordered by local Emergency Management officials with whom we are coordinating. We apologize to those impacted by the derailment.”
Tysver says the cause of the derailment remains under investigation.
As of Monday evening at the fire is still going and the evacuation was lifted at about 8:15 p.m. everyone could return to their homes and businesses could resume normal activities. The cleanup work was continuing and about 18 cars had been removed,