Freight Train Derails in Connecticut, Dumping Liquid Propane Cars into River

A freight train derailed on Thursday morning in Connecticut, resulting in several cars carrying flammable liquid propane ending up in the water. Fortunately, officials have reported that there are no signs of leakage.

The incident occurred around 9 a.m. in Mansfield, a rural town located in the eastern part of the state, near the intersection of Eagleville Lake and the Willimantic River. This area is also home to the University of Connecticut.

Mansfield Fire Chief John Roache provided an update during an afternoon briefing, stating that a number of the train’s 41 cars had detached and derailed. Among them, four cars carrying liquid propane fell into the water, while two others transporting food-grade grease landed on the banks.

One of the grease cars was damaged, leading to a leak of approximately 2,000 gallons (7,500 liters) of animal fat. Thankfully, Roache confirmed that the leak has been contained and there is no evidence that the grease has entered the water.

As of now, no injuries have been reported, and the cause of the derailment is still under investigation. The train was en route from Palmer, Massachusetts, to Willimantic.

In response to the situation, town officials issued a shelter-in-place order for residents living within half a mile (0.8 kilometers) of the derailment site. They emphasized that no evacuations were necessary but urged residents to stay indoors, as the liquid propane being transported is odorless and may not be detected by smell.

The derailment has also led to the closure of a nearby road and prompted the consideration of alternative bus routes for school dismissals.

Mansfield Town Manager Ryan Aylesworth reassured the public that there appears to be no significant environmental damage resulting from the incident. State and local hazardous materials teams are actively monitoring for leaks and have deployed hazmat booms in the water as a precautionary measure.

“Fortunately, it seems under control,” Aylesworth stated.

Tom Ciuba, a spokesperson for New England Central Railroad, mentioned that specialized equipment is expected to arrive Thursday evening to assist in rerailing the affected cars.

Chief Roache indicated that the recovery process could take several days due to the remote location of the derailment and the challenging, frigid conditions faced by responders. “It’s not going to be a today operation,” he explained. “They’re going to have to get some cranes in there. It’s going to take some time.”

This photo provided by the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security shows firefighters responding to a freight train derailment in Mansfield, Conn., Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (Alexis Paquette/Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security via AP)

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Topics
Trucking
Connecticut

A freight train derailed on Thursday morning in Connecticut, resulting in several cars carrying flammable liquid propane ending up in the water. Fortunately, officials have reported that there are no signs of leakage.

The incident occurred around 9 a.m. in Mansfield, a rural town located in the eastern part of the state, near the intersection of Eagleville Lake and the Willimantic River. This area is also home to the University of Connecticut.

Mansfield Fire Chief John Roache provided an update during an afternoon briefing, stating that a number of the train’s 41 cars had detached and derailed. Among them, four cars carrying liquid propane fell into the water, while two others transporting food-grade grease landed on the banks.

One of the grease cars was damaged, leading to a leak of approximately 2,000 gallons (7,500 liters) of animal fat. Thankfully, Roache confirmed that the leak has been contained and there is no evidence that the grease has entered the water.

As of now, no injuries have been reported, and the cause of the derailment is still under investigation. The train was en route from Palmer, Massachusetts, to Willimantic.

In response to the situation, town officials issued a shelter-in-place order for residents living within half a mile (0.8 kilometers) of the derailment site. They emphasized that no evacuations were necessary but urged residents to stay indoors, as the liquid propane being transported is odorless and may not be detected by smell.

The derailment has also led to the closure of a nearby road and prompted the consideration of alternative bus routes for school dismissals.

Mansfield Town Manager Ryan Aylesworth reassured the public that there appears to be no significant environmental damage resulting from the incident. State and local hazardous materials teams are actively monitoring for leaks and have deployed hazmat booms in the water as a precautionary measure.

“Fortunately, it seems under control,” Aylesworth stated.

Tom Ciuba, a spokesperson for New England Central Railroad, mentioned that specialized equipment is expected to arrive Thursday evening to assist in rerailing the affected cars.

Chief Roache indicated that the recovery process could take several days due to the remote location of the derailment and the challenging, frigid conditions faced by responders. “It’s not going to be a today operation,” he explained. “They’re going to have to get some cranes in there. It’s going to take some time.”

This photo provided by the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security shows firefighters responding to a freight train derailment in Mansfield, Conn., Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (Alexis Paquette/Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security via AP)

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Topics
Trucking
Connecticut