UPDATE: Dec. 31 at 10:25 a.m.
A CSX freight train derailed 31 cars in Trenton, Kentucky, on Tuesday morning, but crews have successfully reopened the rail line and contained all hazardous materials with no reported injuries, according to officials.
According to officials, one railcar containing molten sulfur was breached during the incident, losing a small amount of its contents and causing a small fire that was extinguished late Tuesday morning. All of the spilled product has been safely recovered.
Officials say that CSX crews worked through the night to remove the derailed cars and complete track repairs. The rail line reopened at approximately 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
Environmental specialists have conducted ongoing air monitoring in coordination with local authorities. The monitoring has shown no detected air-quality concerns in the surrounding area, according to officials.
CSX crews remain on scene working to completely restore the area. The company praised the swift response and coordination of local first responders and emergency management officials.
UPDATE: Dec. 30 at 3:00 p.m.
A CSX train derailment in western Kentucky this morning forced nearby residents to shelter in their homes after a toxic chemical began leaking from one of the derailed cars.
Emergency officials say the train derailed around 6 a.m. alongside US 41 in rural Todd County near Trenton. Thirty-one train cars went off the tracks at US 475 and Tress Shop Road, with one car carrying molten sulfur, a highly flammable and toxic chemical.
"One giving off some smoke, some fumes. What was on that car which was molten sulfur, which is a solid so it's superheated and turns into a liquid, and as it was coming out of the car it was giving off a cloud and starting to solidify," Ash Groves, Todd County Emergency Management Director, said.
Molten sulfur is used to make fertilizer, detergents, rubber and construction materials. The leak prompted emergency officials to order nearby residents to shelter in place as a precautionary measure.
"The National Weather Service Paducah gave us the wind speeds and directions so we were able to determine there wasn't an immediate threat to the public. At that point we put a shelter in place order out, and then told everyone to turn off their heating. We don't want to draw fresh air into the house that may have fumes in it," Groves said.
Air quality testing later confirmed there was no threat to the public, and the shelter-in-place order has been lifted. CSX crews are now working to clean up the spill.
Todd Mansfield, the Todd County Judge Executive, told reporters he was thankful the derailment happened in a rural area and that no one on the train or in the community was injured.
"We're very, very thankful that this incident happened approximately 1 mile west of here from downtown Trenton. Trenton is a small community, but had the event happened right here, it could have been catastrophic," Mansfield said.
CSX released a statement about the derailment that reads in part: "CSX crews are currently on scene and working as safely and quickly as possible to clean up the impacted site. Our primary focus is on the health and safety of onsite staff and personnel, the surrounding community, and mitigating potential risk to the environment. The cause of the incident is currently under investigation."
Original story:
At least 31 train cars derailed in Trenton, Kentucky, prompting officials to issue a shelter-in-place order as hazmat crews work to contain potentially dangerous materials on Tuesday morning.
The derailment occurred on State Route 475 at Tress Shop Road in Todd County, blocking the roadway and shutting down US 41 between Pembroke and Trenton. Officials added that no injuries occurred in the derailment.
Governor Andy Beshear stated, "Please follow local guidance and stay safe. More information will be shared as available for those in the surrounding area."
