VIRGINIA — Emergency crews responded Tuesday afternoon to a tanker train derailment in the New River Valley.
The derailment happened in Glen Lyn near Lurich Road, close to the Giles County line with Mercer County, West Virginia. Officials said no injuries have been reported at this time.
Authorities are working to determine whether any chemicals may have spilled into the East River, which runs alongside the train tracks and feeds into the New River.
At least one railcar was dragged a considerable distance and that something appeared to be leaking from it, though officials have not confirmed those reports.
As a precaution, a nearby gas station was evacuated.
Multiple hazmat teams responded to the scene, including crews from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, the Roanoke Regional Hazmat Unit and the nearby Celanese plant. Local responders from the Rich Creek Fire Department and the town of Narrows also assisted.
The cause of the derailment remains under investigation.
Officials say this is a developing situation, and additional updates are expected as more information becomes available.
