huge oil tanker train
A huge oil tanker train fire exploded in North Dakota Jennifer Willis (Facebook)

A huge oil train fire in North Dakota has led to the evacuation of nearby town.

The 10-tank train carrying gallons of crude oil went up in smoke as it derailed on Wednesday afternoon. No one was hurt in the explosion but the town of Heimdal has been evacuated.

Sarah Feinberg, acting administrator at the Federal Railroad Administration, tweeted: "We are aware of crude derailment and resulting fire near Heimdal, ND. We have investigators on their way. Will update when we know more."

The train derailment came just as the US and Canada introduced new rules last Friday aimed at preventing oil train crashes, Reuters reported.