MINOT, N.D. -- A train derailed west of this North Dakota city early Friday, sending a cloud of anhydrous ammonia gas spreading over the area and forcing some local residents to evacuate their homes, according to a wire service.

One area resident and two emergency officials were taken to the hospital, said North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven. He said he did not have any information on their conditions.

State emergency manager Doug Friez said the crash occurred sometime before 2 a.m.

“There's been some evacuation of people that could and needed to evacuate,” Friez said. He offered no details on the number of evacuees involved.

Anhydrous ammonia, which is used as a fertilizer, can irritate the nose and throat. Authorities did not say how long the cloud might be over the city, nor how serious the health implications could be.

Those who were not evacuated were being told to stay in their homes, shut off their furnaces and place damp cloths over entrances to their homes if necessary, Hoeven said.