NEGAUNEE TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- A Canadian National Railroad locomotive and an LS&I Railroad crew were transferring rail cars at the LS&Is Eagle Mills yard in Negaunee Township early Friday morning and apparently contact was made with a propane tank car that was parked on separate siding, the WLUC Web site reports.
Due to the concern of a potential leak of propane gas, employees at the Eagle Mills yard along with residents in homes in a radius of a half mile were temporarily evacuated as a precaution.
The evacuation lasted less then two hours and residents were allowed to return to their homes after it was determined there was no propane leak.
At this time a leak of an undetermined amount of diesel fuel from the locomotive is begin investigated. Cliffs Natural Resources personnel have contained the diesel fuel leak area.
A propane emergency response management team from downstate is on its way to the Upper Peninsula to transfer the propane from the tanker car.
Additionally, Cliffs Natural Resources has notified the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment regarding the incident.
There were no injuries and the incident remains under investigation.
(This item appeared on the WLUC Web site Feb. 12, 2010.)
