Train carrying crude oil derails in eastern Canada

A large portion of a town in eastern Quebec province of Canada was destroyed after a train carrying crude oil derailed early Saturday, causing explosions and forcing the evacuation of about 1,000 people from their homes. A spokesperson for Quebec's Environment Ministry told local media that 73 rail cars filled with crude oil were involved in the accident happening in the town of Lac-Megantic, some 250 kilometers east of Montreal. At least four of the cars exploded, igniting a fire that sent flames shooting into the sky. Belching smoke could be seen from several kilometers away. Authorities said some 30 buildings were affected in the town of 6,000 people, but so far no casualties were reported. More than 100 firefighters from Quebec and from the United States were on the scene early Saturday morning to try to bring the flames under control. The cause of the derailment was under investigation. A spokesperson for Quebec provincial police said it was still too early to say what caused the derailment. The train, reportedly heading to Maine, belongs to Montreal Maine & Atlantic, which owns mor than 800 kilometers of track serving Maine, Vermont, Quebec and New Brunswick, according to the company's website.