BREAKING: Massive Explosion after Freight Fuel Train Derails, Whole Town Evacuates in Quebec

Entire town of Lac-Megantic in Quebec evacuated after freight train carrying crude oil derails, catches fire. Downtown Lac-Megantic, Quebec, in flames after derailment; mayor says city center destroyed
(CBC) A train carrying crude oil derailed overnight in the heart of Lac-Mégantic in Quebec's Eastern Townships, sparking a major fire that has brought firefighters from the town and neighboring municipalities to the area, and led to the evacuation of 1,000 people from their homes.
'It's terrible. We've never seen anything like it.'
—Claude Bedard, Lac-Megantic resident
Witnesses reported having heard several explosions in the town of about 6,000 located 250 kilometers east of Montreal. The derailment happened around 1 a.m. ET.
It is not yet known if there are any casualties.
A spokesperson for Ontario's Environment Ministry says 73 rail cars filled with crhde oil were involved.
The fire, which can be seen for several kilometers, has spread to a number of homes, although it is not clear how many people have been forced to leave.
Over 1,000 people have been evacuated from their homes after a train derailment led to several explosions and a major fire in downtown Lac-Mégantic. (CBC)
"It's dreadful," said Lac-Mégantic resident Claude Bedard. "It's terrible. We've never seen anything like it. The Metro store, Dollarama, everything that was there is gone."
A large, but as yet undetermined amount of fuel, is also reported to have spilled into the Chaudiere River.
The derailed train belongs to Montreal Maine & Atlantic, which owns more than 800 kilometers of track serving Maine, Vermont, Quebec and New Brunswick, according to the company's website.
The cause of the derailment is under investigation.