A SMALL TOWN in the state of Illinois is being evacuated following a train derailment in the area.

The town of Tiskilwa, which has a population of 800 people and lies 8 miles south of Princeton, is under an evacuation order after the derailment saw several tankers explode, according to AP.

Witnesses have reported hearing explosions and the tanker cars were carrying ethanol (a form of alcohol) from a corn processing plant in Decatur. There are no reports of injuries yet and the evacuees are being taken to Princeton High School where the Red Cross is providing shelter.

The derailment happened at around 2am this morning local time. The Chicago-Tribune says that “multiple” tanker cars exploded. One local, Mike McComber of the Indian Valley Inn, said that a quarter-mile of tankers had derailed and that each time one exploded, it sounded like a bomb going off.

The Ottawa Fire Department said that the fire was not under control by 5.15am local time (11.15am in Ireland) and that is why townspeople had to be moved away from the scene.