(CNN) -- At least one person died and others were reported missing after a train pulling more than 70 tankers of crude oil derailed and burst into flames in eastern Canada near the U.S. border, CNN affiliates reported, citing authorities. The train jumped the tracks in the small town of Lac-Megantic in the province of Quebec, officials said Saturday. The inferno spread to nearby homes, and authorities evacuated the center of town and a home for the elderly, CNN affiliate Radio-Canada reported. Thick fuel spilled into the Chaudiere River. "Words cannot tell the damage that had been done," Quebec provincial police Sgt. Gregory Gomez del Prado said, according to CNN affiliate CTV. "Many, many buildings have been damaged. It's a catastrophe for the town of course, but also for the whole province."
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NEW: Several people reported missing, police say
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Firefighters from the U.S. and Canada rush to fight the blaze
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Flames climb stories high into the sky and spread to homes
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Fuel spills into the river running past the town
CNN affiliate @placeholder referred to the crash site as a "war zone" and it said no other injuries have been reported.