North Dakota train derailment causes explosion

   A train carrying crude oil from North Dakota’s oil patch Monday set off a series of fiery explosions that shook residents near the small town of Casselton, N.D., the AP reported. No injuries have been reported, but officials evacuated local residents as a precaution.  
   Though the investigation continues into the cause of the crash, BNSF Railway spokeswoman Amy McBeth said a train carrying grain was the first to derail, and it knocked several cars of the mile-long oil train off adjoining tracks, according to reports.
   Since a growing amount of oil is being shipped by rail, fears of catastrophic derailments, especially in the wake of last summer’s crash in Canada of a train carrying crude oil from North Dakota’s Bakken oil patch have heightened, the AP said.