Freight train derails in Connecticut, sending cars carrying liquid
propane into river
[February 06, 2026]
MANSFIELD, Conn. (AP) — A freight train derailed Thursday in
Connecticut, sending cars carrying flammable liquid propane into the
water, though officials say they don't appear to be leaking.
Local and state officials said the derailment happened around 9 a.m. in
Mansfield, near where Eagleville Lake meets the Willimantic River. The
rural town in the eastern part of the state is home to the University of
Connecticut.
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This photo provided by the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management
and Homeland Security shows firefighters responding to a freight train
derailment, in Mansfield, Conn., Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (Alexis
Paquette/Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland
Security via AP) |
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Mansfield Fire Chief John Roache said in an afternoon briefing
that a number of the train's 41 cars detached and derailed.
Four carrying liquid propane ended up in the water, while two
others carrying food grade grease landed on the banks.
One of the grease cars sustained damage and leaked about 2,000
gallons (7,500 liters) of the animal fat, according to Roache.
The leak has since been contained and there's no evidence the
grease entered the water.
Roache added that no injuries were reported and the cause of the
derailment remains under investigation. The train had been
heading south from Palmer, Massachusetts, to Willimantic.
Town officials said late Thursday that a shelter-in-place order
issued hours earlier for those living within half a mile (.8
kilometers) of the derailment would remain in effect, though
they stressed no evacuations have been ordered.
They continued to urge residents to remain indoors as the liquid
propane the train was carrying is odorless and wouldn't be
immediately detected by smell.
The derailment also prompted the town to close a nearby road and
consider alternative bus routes for school dismissal.
Mansfield Town Manager Ryan Aylesworth said there doesn't appear
to be any serious environmental damage from the derailment.
State and local hazardous materials teams were monitoring for
leaks and placed hazmat booms in the water as a precaution.
“Fortunately, it seems under control,” Aylesworth said.
Tom Ciuba, a spokesperson for New England Central Railroad, said
specialized equipment is expected to arrive Thursday evening to
help begin rerailing the affected cars.
Roache said the recovery process could take days, given the
derailment happened in a fairly remote location and under
difficult, frigid conditions for responders.
“It's not going to be a today operation,” he said. “They're
going to have to get some cranes in there. It's going to take
some time.”
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