Teamsters Canada Rail Conference

CALGARY - Emergency officials confirm no hazardous material has escaped from the rail cars damaged in a train derailment near Airdrie early this morning.

About 7:15 a.m., a southbound CP Rail train derailed just north of Veterans Blvd., on the north side of Airdrie, with several cars sustaining heavy damage, said Jill Iverson, communications co-ordinator with the City of Airdrie.

Eight cars containing anhydrous ammonia are confirmed to be involved, as are rail cars transporting grain and plastic materials.

A cause for the derailment has not been determined, Iverson added.

No injuries were reported. Calgary HAZMAT, Airdrie Fire Department and CP environmental experts remain on the scene assessing the site.

Officials evacuated a quarter-mile radius around the site as a precaution, including three farms, Iverson said.

No other evacuations or alerts were planned.

Roads remain closed surrounding the site, and officials ask motorists to avoid the area and take alternate routes.

CP Rail, RCMP and fire officials plan to release more information about the derailment later today.