Kentucky train derailment prompts response in Todd County

Kentucky train derailment in Todd County, Kentucky, on Tuesday morning prompted a hazmat response after a leak involving a highly flammable and toxic chemical. Residents nearby were advised to shelter in place and switch off their HVAC systems despite freezing temperatures, as reported by WSMV.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Kentucky train derailment: what happened in Todd County

The Todd County Sheriff’s Office said the train derailed alongside U.S. 41 near U.S. 475 and Tress Shop Road. Early reports suggested officials believed roughly 20 cars had left the tracks at that location.

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The Todd County Emergency Management Agency director later said the crash happened around 6 a.m. and confirmed that 31 train cars derailed. The incident was also summarized by Railway Supply.

Shelter-in-place order, HVAC shutdown, and US-41 road closure

CSX instructed residents within a half-mile of the derailment site to shelter in place and turn off their HVAC systems because of the hazardous chemical situation. That order remained in effect through the morning before being lifted around 11 a.m.

U.S. 41 stayed closed even after the shelter-in-place order ended, as crews prepared to remove the damaged railcars. Officials said the area was expected to remain closed for at least another 24 hours.

Molten sulfur railcar fire, sulfur dioxide risk, and hazmat cleanup

CSX said a derailed car carrying molten sulfur caught fire. Firefighters spent the entire morning extinguishing the flames while hazmat crews worked on cleanup and containment.

Molten sulfur is transported as a yellow or red liquid and is highly flammable. It can also produce toxic sulfur dioxide gas, which may cause eye and skin irritation and temporary incapacitation; for background on sulfur dioxide hazards, see the CDC medical management guidance. Hazmat crews brought in loads of dirt to cover the damaged railcars and created a dam to keep the spilled chemical from spreading.

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, CSX said its “primary focus continues to be the health and safety of onsite personnel, the surrounding community, and mitigating any potential risk to the environment,” adding that the cause of the incident was under investigation.

With freezing conditions in Todd County, displaced residents were allowed to meet at a warming shelter established at the Bingo Barn at 1020 Russellville Road in Guthrie, Kentucky. The sheriff’s office also said the train operator was not injured, noting that the locomotive detached and continued on the tracks.

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