Freight train derails in Kentucky, governor declares state state of emergency
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear's office said multiple train cars are involved in the derailment
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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency after a freight train derailed in Kentucky on Wednesday afternoon.
Beshear's office said in a Wednesday night statement that multiple freight train cars derailed in Rockcastle County, located in the southeastern part of the state.
"By issuing a state of emergency, we are ensuring that every state resource is available to help keep our families safe," Beshear said. "Please stay clear of this area as state, local and CSX officials respond."
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A spokesperson for CSX told Fox News Digital that 16 train cars were involved, including two that were carrying molten sulphur.
"CSX and local emergency responders in Rockcastle county, Ky., worked through the night in an ongoing effort to extinguish a fire following yesterday’s train derailment just north of Livingston, Ky. The derailment involved 16 cars, including two molten sulphur cars that lost some of their contents which continue to burn," the spokesperson said. "There were also two cars carrying magnesium hydroxide involved in the incident, but there is no indication that these cars were breached. The remaining cars were either empty or carrying non-hazardous products like grain or plastic. Specialized equipment has been deployed to conduct air monitoring in the area as molten sulphur is known to release sulphur dioxide when it burns. Our immediate focus is on safely extinguishing the fire."
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Kentucky Governor Beshear declares state of emergency after train derailment due to chemical spill causing evacuations in Rockcastle County. (WKYT News)
The Kentucky governor also said people in Livingston, Kentucky, were being encouraged to evacuate.
CSX also said its providing food, lodging and other necesseties to community members who were affected.