Train derailment reported in Coconino County

Cleanup is underway in Coconino County after a freight train derailed just east of Williams overnight.

The incident happened at around 11:20 p.m. on Wednesday night, according to BNSF Railway. The train had been going about 50 miles an hour when it derailed near some homes.

Authorities say a total of 23 train cars derailed, sustaining heavy damage.

The BNSF train was heading to California and was reportedly carrying a variety of new cars, trucks and vans at the time.

"It looked like a train wreck," said Jim Pearson, a local resident. "I was curious to the reason if it was a track problem or a problem with the train itself."

There are no environmental concerns or hazmat situations, but the mess will take several days to clean up, said Wes Dison, director of Coconino County Emergency Management.

No injuries were reported.

"It was about as good a result as we could see for such a significant incident," Dison said. "Our BNSF partners already had this well in hand, they were already there. Our job is really to provide any support they might need." 

 It's not known what caused the derailment. On June 7, this same train had a mechanical issue in Flagstaff that blocked several railroad crossings.

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Photos of a train derailment just east of Williams.

Area where the derailment occurred:

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