Non-Hockey related news

I know you have all heard about this but just wanted to share the story as Red Wing director Jerry Cugnet is quoted in this National Post story. As many of you know, the derailment occurred just southeast of Jerry's farmyard.


Three-train derailment sparks blaze in southern Sask.
Heather Polischuk, Canwest News Service
Published: Monday, April 07, 2008


RALPH, Sask. -- Black smoke was visible for several kilometres Monday after a derailment in southeastern Saskatchewan that involved three Canadian Pacific Railway trains -- some of which contained potentially hazardous materials.


Weyburn Fire Department Chief Denis Pilon -- who took over command of the response effort shortly after the early morning derailment -- said operator error was believed to be behind the incident.


The derailment happened between the small Saskatchewan communities of Halbrite and Ralph -- about 150 kilometres southeast of Regina.


"One train had stopped to allow an oncoming train to pass on the siding," Pilon said.


"There was a third train coming up behind at the stop point, and they misjudged their distance and hit the back of that train as the second one was passing.


"So it derailed its cars and a few more cars went over with it from the passing train. So we have three trains involved in the accident, which makes it really difficult for us to know what, where, when, why and so on."


No one was seriously injured, although Pilon said some members of the train crews -- with two believed to have been on each train -- suffered some shock and were taken to hospital to get checked out.


No one else, including those in the nearby area, was reported injured.


An estimated six to eight cars jumped the tracks, he said, although a CPR spokesman put the number between 12 and 14.


One car initially caught fire and a grass fire broke out shortly after.


"It wasn't an immediate explosion," Pilon said.


"[The train crews] did see some liquid pouring out and then it ignited ... What's in it, we believe, is ethylene glycol, but there are some other cars that have liquid propane gas ... they could be dangerous, too."


Ethylene glycol's major use is for antifreeze.


RCMP have said some cars contained dinitrogen tetroxide -- which is used as a rocket propellant -- and nitric oxide, a naturally occurring gas found in smog. Both can be environmentally toxic.


Due to the nature of the materials on the train and the overall situation, Pilon said fire crews decided not to attempt to fight the fire.


"There are some cars in there that could explode, so our policy is not to risk life and limb over that," he said, adding that crews were prepared to be on the scene for at least 24 hours.


An estimated 10 to 20 people from a number of area farms within two kilometres downwind from the fire were forced to leave the area, while residents further out were advised to be ready to evacuate should the situation change.


"They've come and warned us that we could be out of here in 15 minutes to be evacuated," said Jerry Cugnet on Monday afternoon from his farm, about five kilometres from the site.


"But as long as they get me a good hotel room, I don't care."


CPR spokesman Mike Lovecchio said two train cars were believed to have caught fire -- the one containing antifreeze, and another carrying vinyl acetate, which is used in wood glue and to make hoses.


The car carrying vinyl acetate and a third car near the fire that had previously been carrying butane were both empty at the time of the derailment.


However, Lovecchio said it is possible some residual fumes are present in them.


Highway traffic had to be rerouted around the location.


The Transportation Safety Board was expected to investigate.

The fire was still burning Monday night.

Regina Leader-Post

- Brad M.