Train Derailment and Chemical Spill Prompts Evacuation in Kentucky

A train derailment involving 16 cars, two of which spilled molten sulfur, sparked a fire north of Livingston, Kentucky, railroad operator CSX (CSX.O) said on Wednesday, prompting officials to tell residents to evacuate. The cause of the derailment and the scale of the fire were not immediately clear, though ABC News said one crew member suffered minor injuries.

"Local officials are encouraging those in the town of Livingston to evacuate," the office of Governor Andy Beshear said in a statement, urging families to stay clear of the area as authorities respond to the incident. A state of emergency has been declared in the state's Rockcastle county, Beshear said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

"We will work together with local authorities to secure the area and safety is our top priority as we develop a recovery plan," CSX said on its website, adding that the burning of molten sulphur releases sulphur dioxide gas.

Giving initial details of the incident, which took place at about 2:23 p.m., it said at least 16 cars were involved, two carrying molten sulphur that lost some of their contents, which then caught fire.

Short-term exposure to colorless sulphur dioxide can harm the human respiratory system and make breathing difficult, the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) says on its website, putting at risk sufferers of asthma, particularly children.

The incident blocked traffic in both directions along a stretch of U.S. Highway 25, and it was not immediately clear how soon the flow would resume, county transport officials said in a post on Facebook.

Authorities ordered residents of a small and remote Kentucky town to immediately evacuate as they declared a state of emergency on Wednesday after a train derailed and spilled chemicals. At least 16 train cars derailed in Rockcastle County and two carrying sulphur ended up catching fire and releasing toxic fumes in the area, according to railway officials.

Kentucky governor Andy Beshear said the Rockcastle County urged residents in Livingston, a town with the population of 200, to evacuate. He declared a state of emergency to ensure "every state resource is available to help keep our families safe". "Please stay clear of this area as state, local and CSX officials respond," his statement said.

Railroad operator CSX said on Thursday that the train derailed north of Livingston at 2.23pm and preliminary information indicated "that at least 16 cars were involved, including two molten sulphur cars that have been breached and have lost some of their contents which is on fire". At least one crew member was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Authorities continue to assess the threat from the chemical leak. "When molten sulphur burns it is known to release sulphur dioxide," CSX said in its statement. "Specialized equipment is being deployed to conduct air monitoring in the area. CSX is in close contact with the Rockcastle County emergency teams as they continue to assess the situation and we appreciate their swift response."

The railroad operator also urged residents near where the incident occurred to utilize lodging offered by the company in Mt Vernon. It said they are also working with local restaurants and hotels to provide meals for affected residents. The state authorities have provided shelter to the people at a local middle school. It is not immediately clear how extensive the spill was or what impact it might have on the environment in the remote area.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear's office said multiple train cars are involved in the derailment. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency after a freight train derailed in Kentucky on Wednesday afternoon. Beshear's office said in a Wednesday night statement that multiple freight train cars derailed in Rockcastle County, located in the southeastern part of the state. According to FOX 56, at least 15 train cars were involved in the incident. "By issuing a state of emergency, we are ensuring that every state resource is available to help keep our families safe," Beshear said. The Kentucky governor also said people in Livingston, Kentucky, were being encouraged to evacuate.