CSX hazmat derailment ties up Louisville
A major derailment of a CSX train hauling tank cars with hazardous material led to a huge fire, evacuation and closure of surrounding roads in Brooks, Ky., near Louisville.
Emergency personnel closed all local roads and part of Interstate 65 within a one-mile radius of the accident. Eight people were taken to local hospitals for evaluation of inhalation problems, but officials did not release any information about their condition.
Airport officials closed two runways at Louisville International Airport because of smoke from the blaze, forcing UPS to share runway space with passenger planes. A spokesman for UPS, which has its main world hub at the airport, told local media outlets the main problem was road closures that delayed trucks from reaching its sorting hub and delivery of some packages.
CSX said 25 cars on an 80-car train from Birmingham, Ala., to Louisville, derailed and 12 of those cars carried hazardous material.
CNN reported that Kentucky emergency officials identified one of the burning chemicals as cyclohexane, which can pose an inhalation hazard. Cyclohexane is a solvent used in the production of paints, nylon and resins. It can affect the central nervous system if inhaled or ingested. At least three cars carried liquid propane, a CSX spokesman told WLKY TV.
The Louisville-Courier Journal reported that as of 7 a.m. firefighters were still battling the fire with foam retardants, but that I-65 has reopened. The paper said Konica Minolta and UPS Supply Chain Solutions were among several companies at the ProLogis warehouse and office park that closed down for the day.