(Derailment under investigation)....It happened overnight.
Several train cars derailed at the Sixth Street crossing. A few of the cars were tanker cars, causing El Centro Fire to initiate an evacuation of 50 residents in the area. The American Red Cross assisted in setting up an emergency shelter at the MLK Pavilion. The evacuation was lifted at just before 3:00 am after fire crews determined the tanker cars were empty and there were no leaks. The incident was reported at just before 11:00 pm Monday. El Centro Fir was on scene within minutes. They had 3 engines, one quick response vehicle, and three Chief Offices, with 14 fire fighters on scen. Mutual aid resources brought in 12 additional fire fighters. They were assisted by the Red Cross, AMR Ambulance, the Imperial Irrigation District, El Centro Public Works, El Centro Parks and Recreation, El Cento Police and Union Pacific Railroad. El Centro fire cleared from the incident at just before 6:00 Tuesday morning. No injuries were reported. Union Pacific is investigating to try and determine what caused the derailment. They were also working to clear out the derailed railroad cars.