Oil train derailment prompts evacuation in North Dakota town

HEIMDAL, N.D. (AP) — A town of about three dozen people in central North Dakota has been evacuated after an oil train derailed and caught fire.

Wells County Emergency Manager Tammy Roehrich says no injuries have been reported from the Wednesday morning accident near Heimdal, about 115 miles northeast of Bismarck.

Roehrich says the town's roughly 35 residents have left and are staying with family and friends.

Authorities say 10 tanker cars are on fire, creating thick black smoke. State Emergency Services spokeswoman Cecily Fong says the train engine and cars that aren't burning have been decoupled and moved to safety.

It's unclear how many cars were part of the train, or how many derailed. There's no immediate word on the cause.

Oil trains are a hot-button topic in and around Seattle. Many protest the number of oil trains coming through the area.