Today in History, 1975: Nearly all residents of Fertile, Minn., evacuate after propane tank explosion

On this day in 1975, most Fertile, Minnesota, residents were evacuated after a propane tank car explosion and derailment injured five people. Here is the complete story as it appeared in the paper that day: Evacuated Fertile Residents Wait out Tank Car Threat FERTILE, MINN. — Stores were closed, the school shut down and most residents gone from here today as this Polk County town waited warily for the danger from damaged propane tank cars to pass. About 75-80 per cent of the 1,000 townspeople had been evacuated, said Mayor Duane Knutson. Most were staying at nearby farms or communities, particularly Gary and Crookston, he said. Among the evacuees were 14 Vietnamese refugees who were taken by bus to Rindal. Roadblocks prevented travelers and the curious from entering town. A 1-mile detour for motorists using Highway 32 was required. Minnesota Highway Patrolmen and law enforcement officials of the Northern Minnesota Task Force were patrolling the almost deser