The village of Matteson has ordered a mandatory evacuation for residents of the Historic Matteson Main Street following a freight train derailment at Main Street and 217th Street.
Matteson spokesperson Sean Howard said responders noticed a white, powdery substance leaking from one of the freight cars. Because many of the cars were carrying chemical substances, Howard said officials ordered the evacuation as a precaution in case of a fire.
“All this was precautionary, and the mayor wants to make that clear, it was very precautionary because we were dealing with something that we couldn’t take a chance on, given the recent reports of derailments and powdery substances that have led to fires,” Howard said.
The village is warning residents to prepare for a long-term evacuation, ensuring they take any medication and supplies with them.
Howard said first responders arrived shortly after receiving calls around 10:30 a.m. regarding the derailment. The train is from the Canadian National Railway Company, he said.
The evacuation area encompasses the area bordered by Main Street, 217th Street, Sauk Trail and 218th Place, the village said in news release.
That includes Main Street from the tracks through the 218th block, 218 Street, 218th Place, Charles Street and Stawicki Plaza, according to a village.
The village urged residents of Park Forest and Richton Park to contact their local departments for instructions.
Howard said Matteson Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin is going door-to-door to help with evacuation efforts.
Howard said there are no reported injuries and there are no signs of a fire at this time.
Park Forest is not issuing any mandatory evacuations, but officials state on the village’s website they are monitoring the situation closely.
