KALAMAZOO, MI -- A freight train that derailed while traveling through downtown Kalamazoo will cause traffic issues throughout the day, officials said.

At around 6:50 a.m. on Tuesday, July 3, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety responded to an overturned train where the railroad curves past West Michigan Avenue. The train, owned by Grand Elk Railroad, struck a utility pole but Chief Karianne Thomas said the cause of the incident is being investigated.

Train derailed in downtown Kalamazoo. Posted by Kalamazoo Gazette on Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Thomas said no injuries have been reported and there is no indication that the train was carrying hazardous materials. The Kalamazoo County Office of Emergency Management brought its mobile operations center to the scene.

The chief said 12-15 cars overturned.

"Right now it's a big inconvenience for everybody," Thomas said.

West Kalamazoo Avenue will likely be closed for several more hours.

It is too early to tell how long the clean-up process will take, according to a release from the city of Kalamazoo. Motorists should assume it will take several hours and will likely affect this evening's commute.

Motorists are encouraged to avoid the downtown area while clean-up efforts continue. The immediately affected areas include:

E Michigan Avenue east of Pitcher Street.

E Kalamazoo Avenue west of Walbridge Street.

Porter Street south of E Ransom Street.

Walbridge Street south of E Ransom Street.

Harrison Street south of Ransom Street.

Grand Elk Railroad, Consumers Energy, the Michigan Department of Transportation and city officials were on the scene Tuesday morning.

City Manager Jim Ritsema said his staff are working with MDOT to determine which streets need to be closed. Heavy equipment is being brought in to clean up the scene, so Ritsema said crews will need plenty of space to navigate.

Detours will be clearly marked, he said.

"We anticipate the detours to go very smoothly," Ritsema said. "You just have to be patient and you'll get to where you need to be and enjoy our wonderful downtown."

Ritsema said one of the overturned cars struck a nearby building, causing some structural damage. A high-voltage utility pole was also struck, which causes power outages for downtown businesses Tuesday morning.

Downtown is still open for business, Ritsema said.

The chief said she can't recall a train derailment in Kalamazoo ever occurring in her 24 years at KDPS. But it was a "best-case scenario" since no one was injured and hazardous materials weren't released, she said.

"We're very fortunate," Ritsema said.

Some of the train cars were empty, Thomas said.

Amtrak trains will continue to pass through the area at reduced speeds.

Anyone having information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8139 or Silent Observer at 343-2100.