Fuel spill cleanup underway after train derailment near Kamloops, B.C.

Cleanup efforts are ongoing west of Kamloops, B.C., after a Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) train derailed Friday evening, spilling fuel near Kamloops Lake.

According to CPKC, 17 loaded and empty rail cars went off the tracks around 7 p.m. on Nov. 1, roughly 20 kilometres west of the city. The company says no one was injured.

“Our concern, of course, was initially for the safety of our residents and the people in the incident,” said Michael Grenier, a director with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

Grenier said that once safety was confirmed, officials turned their attention to the lake, since many residents draw their domestic water supply from Kamloops Lake.

While there’s no current or expected risk to the Savona Community Water System, Interior Health and private providers are monitoring water quality.

Fuel and environmental impact

CPKC confirmed that four of the derailed cars were carrying fuel, and two of those leaked into the surrounding area. Other cars contained gypsum — a material used in drywall — and pulp products, while seven of the cars were empty, including three that had previously carried gasoline.

Grenier, who can see the site from his home, said he observed containment booms set up along the shoreline to prevent the spread of contaminants.

“It looks like there’s quite a bit of activity on both the land and the lake,” he said.

The B.C. Ministry of Environment and Parks said environmental emergency teams and CPKC crews are conducting site assessments and cleanup operations. Members of the provincial environmental emergency branch have also been deployed to the scene.

Investigation ongoing

The cause of the derailment remains under investigation. Officials say further updates will be provided as cleanup and environmental monitoring continue in the coming days.