MATTESON, Ill. — A freight train derailed in Matteson Thursday morning and residents were ordered to evacuate the area.
It happened in the 21700 block of Main Street at around 10:35 a.m., according to a village spokesperson. No injuries have been reported.
The evacuation order was lifted around 1:30 p.m.
“I want the residents to know that we are in control of this and you are safe, go back home,” Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin said during an afternoon press conference.
She said for residents to “please be patient” regarding traffic in the area and said cleanup could last until Friday.
Two hazmat teams from Canadian National are dealing with propane and there are “no current leaks,” according to the fire department. The deputy chief said there was one small leak, but it evaporated with no hazardous readings.
At around 11:45 a.m., a mandatory evacuation order was issued by authorities for anyone one mile south of Main Street and 217th Street, one mile west of Main Street and a quarter mile east of Main Street.
The mayor said around 300 people were affected by the evacuation order. A cause of the derailment is not known at this time.
Before the order was issued, they asked all residents to avoid the area near the scene.
Canadian National said 10 railcars carrying “various substances” derailed.
Metra has delayed a train scheduled to depart University Park at 11:55 a.m. The estimated time of the delay is unknown.
No one was evacuated from the train cars, according to authorities.