Trenton, Kentucky– A derailed CSX train leaked a flammable chemical and sparked a fire in a rural area of southern Kentucky on Tuesday, prompting authorities to issue a shelter-in-place order that was later lifted for nearby residents.
No injuries were reported after 31 train cars derailed at about 6:15 a.m. CST in Todd County, CSX said in a statement. The company said the derailment caused molten sulfur to leak from one of the rail cars and led to a fire that was extinguished late Tuesday morning.
She added that crews at the scene were working “safely and as quickly as possible” to clean up the site.
“We appreciate the quick response and coordination between local first responders and emergency management officials,” the company said. “Our primary focus remains the health and safety of employees on site and the surrounding community and mitigating any potential risks to the environment.”
The company said the leaked chemical could be toxic when ignited. Air quality testing at the derailment site indicated “everything is fine now” and the shelter-in-place order has been lifted, Todd County Emergency Management Director Ash Groves said.
Todd County authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for a half-mile around the affected site as a precaution.
The derailment occurred about 1 mile (1.6 km) west of downtown Trenton — about 55 miles (88.5 km) northwest of Nashville, Tennessee.