Tanker cars derail in Pokegama railyard

Eleven railroad cars derailed in the Canadian National's Pokegama Yard south of Superior overnight. The derailment was reported to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office early Thursday morning.

No injuries were reported, according to Canadian National spokesman Patrick Waldron. He said there was no impact or danger to the public or the environment.

The incident involved a set of rail cars being moved at slow speeds inside the railyard, with several tipping over on their sides next to the track, Waldron said. One car carrying flammable liquids had a small drip of product from the top of the car, but that was quickly contained.

The Town of Superior Volunteer Fire Department responded to evaluate the scene, and asked the Superior Fire Department to view the situation, also.

A small leak was found and contained by contractors, according to Town of Superior Fire Chief Darryl Fiegle.

“We stayed on scene until those folks arrived and stopped the drip leak,” he said. “There was and is no danger to the public.”

The derailment did not affect operations elsewhere in the facility, Waldron said.

"Our crews are working today to upright the cars," he said Thursday.