Updated at 9 a.m. and 6:25 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Authorities are asking motorists to stay out of the area of North Central Boulevard in Centralia after a train derailment this morning.
The fire department and police were called just before 8 a.m. to the 1800 block in the Logan District, according to Lewis County Centralia Dispatch.
A fully-loaded tanker containing methanol has tipped onto its side and other rail cars are leaning, a dispatcher said.
It doesn’t appear to be leaking, he said.
Residents are being told to stay inside but no evacuations are taking place, he said.
Motorists are advised to steer clear of the area.
Riverside Fire Authority Chief Jim Walkowski said at 9 a.m. the material – a type of alcohol – is still in its container and is more of a flammability concern than anything else.
One business adjacent to the incident was evacuated and residents were told to avoid the area unless they were already inside their homes, according to the Centralia Police Department.
Shortly before 2:30 p.m., crews were able to upright the three rail cars, police Cmdr. Jim Rich said in a news release.
Area residents were advised it was safe to come and go, according to Rich. No injuries were reported.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter