Train derailment north of Dubuque

DUBUQUE - Emergency crews plan to let a fire which ignited after a train derailment burn itself out.

An eastbound freight Canadian Pacific train derailed at approximately 11:20 a.m. between Waupeton and Finleys Landing, according to a release from railroad spokesperson Jeremy Berry. At least 14 of the 15 cars that derailed were carrying ethanol. Two engines also derailed. One car is on fire as of 6:50 a.m. Thursday. Others slid into the Mississippi River, which runs alongside the railroad tracks.

Fire crews are only able to get within a quarter-mile of the derailment before needing snowmobiles to reach the scene. Dubuque Fire Chief Rick Steines said they planned to let the fire burn out due to the difficulty of accessing the site.

No injuries were reported, according to both law enforcement and the railway.

Experts tell KCRG-TV9 the rail cars appear to be the tanker cars a KCRG-TV9 and Gazette investigation found are particularly susceptible to fires during a derailment. Those cars carry the bulk of ethanol and crude oil across the U.S. and are common in Iowa.

In addition to fire crews and the railroad, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources was also on the scene.