BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) — Authorities say several cars on a train hauling coal derailed in southern Illinois, knocking out power to hundreds and closing several roads.
No injuries were reported following the derailment, which happened shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday in Belleville.
Bonnie Isler, who owns a beauty salon in the area, tells the Belleville News-Democrat that when the train went off the tracks there were “booms of light” and “a lot of shaking.”
The St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency says about eight coal cars of the train operated by Norfolk Southern went off the tracks. Utility crews were on the scene working to restore power and officials said it could take a day or two to clear debris along the rail line.
The cause of the derailment wasn’t immediately known.