COBOURG, Ont. - More than a dozen homes were evacuated on Sunday after a freight train carrying fuel derailed near Cobourg, Ont.

Up to 25 cars came off the tracks just after noon in Hamilton Township, which separates Cobourg and Port Hope, officials said.

Some of those cars were carrying fuel and propane, said Jim Feeny, a spokesman for CN Rail.

It's unclear at this time whether there have been any spills, he said.

Mayor Mark Lovshin said the derailment caused a small grass fire, which was controlled by firefighters.

No injuries have been reported and there was minimal risk to the public, Lovshin said.

Residents forced to leave their homes have gone off on their own, since it's not clear whether they'll need shelter overnight, he said.

The province's emergency management agency said residents should prepare to be out of their homes for several days.

Emergency Management Ontario is urging people to leave the area between Ward Street, Hamilton Road, Theatre Road South and Lake Ontario.

The area is mostly farmland, with a few homes and some industrial buildings.

Via Rail service has temporarily shut down on the Toronto-Ottawa and Toronto-Montreal lines. Passengers will be travelling by bus until the track has been cleared.

Police, firefighters and CN staff are investigating the incident.