Area evacuated after wreck south of Cameron

Around 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday, a BNSF train carrying mixed freight derailed south of Cameron after it was struck by an 18-wheeler at the CR 229 crossing. A statement from BNSF said that out of 110 cars, 13 derailed. Five of the impacted cars were carrying gasoline and caught fire. The report at 11:30 a.m. indicated five cars carrying nonhazardous loads were also on fire. Additionally, there are reports that an adjacent barn and recreational vehicle sustained fire damage. There were no injuries to the crew or truck driver, a spokesman from BNSF Railway told The Rockdale Reporter. The crossing there is equipped with gates and lights, the report said. Local first responders and BNSF personnel were quickly onsite of the incident. Authorities established a half-mile radius evacuation zone near the site. BNSF set up a claims hotline for any impacted residents. The hotline number is 1-866-243-4784. An investigation into the incident is under way, the spokesman said.