5:40 p.m. update
The Ministry of Transportation wishes to advise the public that Highway 144 will remain closed between Gogama and the Watershed until further notice.
1 p.m. update
The chief of Mattagami First Nation tells TimminsToday that community members are still being asked to stay indoors.
An evacuation has not yet been called, but Chief Walter Naveau said the band has been considering it.
He said he is concerned about the possible environmental damage this second derailment could cause.
Read more about how the derailment has affected Mattagami.
11:45 a.m. update
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has deployed an investigation team to the site of a train derailment located just outside Gogama.
The team will gather information and assess the situation.
This latest derailment is located just 37 kms away from a similar incident that occurred on February 14, 2015.
*************************
CN is reporting via Twitter that no injuries occurred in the derailment, which happened two miles northwest of Gogama, closing Highway 144 at the scene.
Emergency crews responded to the incident, which involved an east-bound train.
This is the second CN train to derail in the area in less than a month.
Transportation Safety Board of Canada continues to investigate a February 14 derailment and fire that spilled at least 1 million litres of product.
The following is a news release issued by the OPP
SOUTH PORCUPINE - Members of the South Porcupine Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were called to the scene of a Canadian National (CN) train derailment that occurred at approximately 2:45 a.m. on March 7, 2015.
The derailment occurred 4 km southwest of Gogama where approximately 10 cars derailed.
There were no injuries and Gogama Fire Department was called to the scene.
Several cars have caught fire, and others entered the Mattagami River System.
The cars were carrying crude oil.
The cause of the derailment is still under investigation and the Ministry of Environment has been notified.
Residents of Mattagami First Nation are being advised not to consume water from the community source at this time.
Residents of Gogama and Mattagami First Nation are being asked to stay inside until further notice for public safety due to possible smoke inhalation.
Highway 144 at Highway 661 at the Watershed is closed as Highway 101 and Highway 144.
There is access to communities north of Gogama by way of the Cache.
Please do not call the OPP Communications Centres for updates or road advisory updates.
*************************
TSB compares derailment to Lac Megantic disaster (5 photos)
(PHOTO: Black smoke can be seen rising from the derailment site this morning. Photo courtesy Denise Brunet)
