ITS A BOMB ON WHEELS

Iowa train derailment and fire prompts evacuations in Sibley

By Joe Sutton and Christina Maxouris, CNN

Authorities evacuated parts of Sibley, Iowa, after a train derailment and fire on Sunday.

 Nathan Minten/Reuters Fire is seen on a Union Pacific train that derailed in Sibley, Iowa.

"The derailment happened at about 2 p.m. today," Robynn Tysver, a Union Pacific spokesperson told CNN affiliate KMEG. "We estimate about 47 cars were impacted."

The train crew was not injured, Tysver added.

Authorities said the fire was caused by diesel fuel, according to CNN affiliate KTIV, and that the derailment was a result of a bridge collapse.

Officials with Union Pacific said the incident is still under investigation, KTIV reported.

For people who didn't evacuate, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office wrote in a Facebook post that residents were "advised to open windows on both sides of their homes and be positioned in the middle of their homes."

"This is a safety measure in case a rail car explodes," the sheriff's office wrote.

All waterways in the area were blocked off, KTIV reported.

CNN has reached out to the sheriff's office and the county emergency management for more information.

Following the derailment, the Sibley-Ocheyedan Community School District also announced it would be delayed two hours on Monday.

A decision about the rest of the day will be made Monday morning, the district said in a Facebook post.

"Be safe, and thanks to all our emergency personnel for their work to help us be secure in these times of crisis," it said.

© Robin and Scott Eggink

NOT JUST DIESEL SAME INGREDIENTS USED TO BLOW UP THE OKLAHOMA FED BUILDING

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Freight train derails and catches fire in Iowa

The incident took place around 2 p.m. CT near Sibley, Iowa, according to Glenn Anderson, the Sibley city administrator.

Anderson told ABC News that there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths but dozens of nearby residents were evacuated as crews scrambled to put out the flames.

"Osceola County emergency management has reported approximately 80 people were evacuated from the town of Sibley as the result of a train derailment and fire," Lucinda Parker, with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, told ABC in an email Sunday night.

© Nathan Minten/NATHAN MINTEN via Reuters Fire is seen on a Union Pacific train carrying hazardous material that has derailed in Sibley, Iowa, U.S., in this still frame obtained from social media drone video dated May 16, 2021.

Anderson said it appears the train's fuel caught fire during the derailment.

"At around 2 p.m. CT, May 16, a Union Pacific train derailed approximately 47 rail cars near Sibley, Iowa," Union Pacific Railroad Company said in a statement Sunday night. "There were no injuries to the crew. Union Pacific is working with local first responders at the scene. Cause of the derailment is under investigation.

The Osceola County Sheriff's Office told ABC News that hazmat equipment was on the scene, although they could not say whether it was being used.

After the incident, the Red Cross in Iowa wrote on Facebook that they opened a reception center for displaced families

.

© Nathan Minten/NATHAN MINTEN via Reuters Fire is seen on a Union Pacific train carrying hazardous material that has derailed in Sibley, Iowa, U.S., in this still frame obtained from social media drone video dated May 16, 2021.

"Individuals and families displaced from their home are welcome at the center where volunteers are on hand to assist those impacted. At this time, overnight accommodations are not being provided, but the Red Cross is monitoring the situation and is prepared to provide lodging, if the need arises," they wrote.

ABC News' Matt Foster contributed to this report.