Rail incident prompts brief evacuation in northeastern Ontario town

A propane leak from a cracked valve on an ONR rail tanker at Porquis Junction, near Iroquois Falls, prompted a brief evacuation of about 30 homes Sunday.

Residents of a northeastern Ontario town were evacuated Sunday due to an incident on a local rail line.

Ontario Provincial Police said they were helping the Iroquois Falls Fire Department with an incident on the rail line at Porquis Junction.

“I can confirm the OPP is assisting the Iroquois Falls Fire Department with an incident on the rail line,” an OPP spokesperson said in an email to CTV News.

Speaking with CTV News on Monday, Iroquois Falls Fire Chief Dan Boucher said his department got the call when some workers heard propane leaking out of a rail tanker.

The fire chief said the odourless gas was coming from a cracked valve on top of the tank.

Boucher added that the response was quick, with both Ontario Northland Railway and the propane company sending officials within 90 minutes.

The evacuation order was lifted shortly before 1:30 p.m., according to a subsequent email from OPP.

Police said the Town of Iroquois Falls is again accessible and residents are permitted to return to their homes.

Fire officials advised that approximately 30 homes were temporarily evacuated to the Porquis Falls Recreation Centre.

“Please continue to use caution in the area and follow any directions from emergency personnel,” said OPP in a social media post related to the incident.

Highway access was maintained

OPP said there was no access into the town for a short period.

“The public should avoid the area; however, Highway 11 remains open for motorists,” said police.

“This incident is under the management of the fire department and we do not have any other details to share at this time.”

Several social media posts said first responders were directing people away from the area starting shortly after noon.

With files from CTVNorthernOntario.ca journalist Lydia Chubak