About six rail cars caught fire and burned for hours after the derailment near Hoke, Arizona, Xinhua news agency quoted NMSP Lt. Phil Vargas as saying.

No injuries were reported, and eastbound and westbound lanes on Interstate Highway I-40 were closed near milepost 8 following the incident. The McKinley County Sheriff's Office said they are not sure when the roads will reopen.

BNSF Railway spokeswoman Lena Kent confirmed the derailment and said the crew was not injured.

Local media reported that the incident was being treated as a "hazardous materials incident". The reason is being investigated.