A train owned by Canadian National Railway derailed in Bancroft at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Monday. No injuries were reported in the accident, which derailed more than 20 cars and mangled the track, officials from Shiawassee County's Sheriff's Department said.
Canadian National was unavailable for comment.
"We had no hazards. We got real lucky," Shiawassee County Fire Chief Dennis Warner said, explaining no hazardous materials were released. Cars on both ends of the derailment held hazardous chemicals.
The rail crew hopes the wreckage will be cleared and the rails will be repaired by the morning, said Richard Kos, emergency services deputy coordinator with the Sherriff's Department.
Neighbors nearby said they could hear the crash from inside their homes.
"It shook the walls of the house," Bancroft resident Dawn Haas said.