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Train derailment causes fire and evacuations in U.S. illinois state

Other News Materials 20 June 2009 09:43 (UTC +04:00)

A freight train derailed Friday night in the U.S. state of Illinois, causing a large fire and evacuations, local media reported.

The train derailed at about 8:30 p.m. local time (0100 GMT Saturday) at Sandy Hollow in Winnebago County, about 140 kilometers northwest of Chicago, Xinhua reported.

The derailment took place possibly because heavy rains had washed out the tracks, local officials said.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Department confirmed the derailment but did not give any details.

According to eyewitnesses, a number of cars caught fire and residents of the area near Sandy Hollow were evacuated from their homes.

At least two people were taken to local hospitals. 

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