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(KNSI) – A Burlington Northern Santa Fe train derailed Saturday afternoon in Sauk Rapids, with six cars turning over and dropping crushed rock.

There were no hazardous materials on board but the accident blocked three crossings between 1st Street South and 9th Street South. Officials say no one was hurt.

The derailment occurred at approximately 1:00 p.m. The stretch is one of the busiest tracks in the state with approximately 70 trains passing through each day.

The city of Raymond, Minnesota had to be evacuated in late March after cars carrying flammable ethanol and other chemicals went off the tracks. Officials told KNSI News after that incident that they get advance notice of what is scheduled to come through and if there are hazardous materials on board.

St. Cloud Deputy Fire Chief Steve Wunderlich says that includes everything from oil to chemicals. The SCFD has 60 certified technicians on staff, making it one of only four emergency response teams in the state.

Stearns County Emergency Manager Erin Tufte says if hazardous materials are involved, the typical protocol is to evacuate within a half mile of the derailment. Residents would be taken to nearly two dozen locations while clean-up is underway.

She says, “We have about 20 different sites throughout the county that have been assessed by the American Red Cross to determine that they are good shelter locations. So we have things such as backup generators. We have kitchen facilities. We have restrooms and shower facilities, especially for those overnight stays.”

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