Train derailment in Devore prompts evacuations

DEVORE, Calif. (FOX 11) - Train derailment forces evacuations and road closure in San Bernardino County on Tuesday.

"This is not an incident that is going to be corrected in a couple hours," said Eric Sherwin the public information officer with San Bernardino County Fire.

Sherwin addressed reporters and concerned residents after a train operated by BNSF Railway derailed Tuesday morning just after 9:45 AM.

Thirteen cars on the freight train overturned causing at least three of the cars to leak an unknown substance.

"Identifying the products involved really drives the what our next steps are and how we can mitigate those leaks," said Sherwin.

Sherwin says emergency crews were called to identify the leaking substance and outside contractors would work to transfer to liquid to other train cars.

The process to clean up the derailment could take several days. No injuries were reported and an investigation into the cause of the derailment is still underway.

BNSF Railways was contacted for this story and told FOX 11 that the tracks are inspected visually on a weekly basis and certified track inspectors check safety on a regular basis that exceeds federal standards.