KENTUCKY — A train derailment in Todd County has caused a leak of a highly flammable and toxic chemical, prompting authorities to order nearby residents to shelter in place and avoid exposure.
According to the Todd County Sheriff’s Office, the derailment occurred along U.S. Route 41 near the intersection of U.S. 475 and Tress Shop Road. Officials said approximately 20 rail cars derailed in the incident.
Several of the derailed cars were carrying molten sulfur, a hazardous material that is highly flammable and can release toxic sulfur dioxide gas. Sulfur dioxide can cause eye and skin irritation and may lead to temporary incapacitation, authorities said. Hazmat crews were dispatched to the scene and are working to contain and clean up the spill.
Rail operator CSX ordered all residents within a half-mile radius of the derailment to shelter in place and shut down heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems as a precaution. The affected area has been closed indefinitely, and officials have not provided a timeline for when it may reopen.
Hazmat teams are using dirt to cover the damaged rail cars and create a barrier to prevent the chemical from spreading further. Because of freezing conditions in the area, the sheriff’s office said a warming shelter has been established for displaced residents at the Bingo Barn, located at 7087 Guthrie Road in Guthrie.
Authorities confirmed that the train operator was not injured. The sheriff’s office said the locomotive detached from the rest of the train and continued along the tracks following the derailment.
The incident remains under investigation, and residents are urged to follow instructions from emergency officials as cleanup efforts continue.
