Train Derailment Sparks Evacuation and Thanksgiving Disruption in Livingston

Residents of the small town of Livingston, Kentucky, had their Thanksgiving plans disrupted when a train carrying hazardous materials derailed just north of the town. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday afternoon, resulted in 16 train cars derailing, two of which contained molten sulphur that caught fire, releasing toxic fumes into the air.

As a result, authorities declared an emergency and evacuated the approximately 200 residents from their homes. They were provided with temporary shelter in hotels, lodgings, and the Rockcastle County Middle School. CSX, the railroad operator, organized a Thanksgiving dinner for the displaced residents at the school and a local church.

Throughout the ordeal, questions remained about the cause of the derailment. CSX confirmed that the two cars carrying sulphur continued to burn on Thursday morning. The release of sulphur dioxide, a highly toxic gas, prompted concerns about the health risks for residents and the environmental impact of the incident.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency in the area, activating the state's Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the response. Officials worked to assess the severity of the chemical leak while US Route 25 was closed in both directions. Another nearby town, Piney Branch, was also evacuated.

Despite the challenges, residents were given the all-clear to return home on Thursday afternoon, allowing them to spend the remainder of the holiday weekend as planned. However, CSX and emergency responders continued their efforts to extinguish the remaining fire and clear the molten sulphur from the area.

CSX spokesperson Bryan Tucker stated that the cause of the derailment is still under investigation. The rail company will be providing assistance to affected residents, including reimbursement for wage losses and out-of-pocket expenses caused by the incident.

While it was not the Thanksgiving that Livingston residents had hoped for, they can now begin the process of returning to normalcy, grateful for the hard work and support of first responders throughout the ordeal.