Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Mark Steil

Crews set massive overnight fire to burn off hazmat near Ellendale

First responders and other emergency personnel
First responders and other emergency personnel gather Friday morning Nov. 11, 2016, outside of United Methodist Church in Ellendale, Minn., after several cars from a Union Pacific train derailed and forced the evacuation of the town's residents.
Colleen Harrison | The Albert Lea Tribune via AP

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

In the early hours of Saturday morning, hazmat crews detonated explosives and ignited the flammable contents of two tank cars involved in a train derailment near the southern Minnesota town of Ellendale.

Mayor Mark Schroch said the operation woke him up around 3:30 Saturday morning.

"Sounded like a big explosion," said Skroch. "When you looked out it was very vivid. You could see it was just burning profusely. And the flames shot maybe 150 to 200 feet in the air."

The explosions were designed to pierce the hulls of two cars, one carrying propane, the other butane.

Ellendale, Minn
Ellendale, Minn
William Lager | MPR News graphic

Emergency crews had determined that the "vent and burn" procedure was their only option. "There was no other way to safely recover the flammable pressurized gas remaining in the LP car damaged in the derailment, and no way to access the scene to pump off the butane car," according to a statement from Steve Belau of the Rochester Fire Department.

The early morning derailment prompted the evacuation of nearly 700 Ellendale residents Friday, but they were allowed to return home by early afternoon.