Train derailment forces evacuation of Bureau County town

AP Photo/ABC TV

A train derailment and fire early this morning has led to the evacuation of a town 115 miles west of Chicago.

Residents of Tiskilwa in Bureau County have been evacuated to nearby Princeton after tanker cars containing denatured alcohol caught fire. A Tiskilwa business owner said he's heard three tankers explode so far. Ottawa Fire Department Capt. Steve Haywood said six cars have caught fire so far and the plan is to let the fire burn itself out.

Rescue crews said the fire could be seen from I-80, eight miles away. Others have reported seeing the fire from as far as 12 miles away.