LIVINGSTON, Ky. — Spilled sulphur continued to burn this morning at the site of a derailed CSX Transportation train in eastern Kentucky, extending the evacuation for the town of about 200 people some 60 miles south of Louisville.
CSX said in a statement at 7:30 a.m. EST that the derailment involves 16 cars; in addition to the two cars of molten suphur that were breached, the train included two cars of magnesium hydroxide, but there is no indication those cars have been breached. The other cars were empty or carrying non-hazardous products like grain or plastic.
The molten sulphur can release sulphur dioxide, which the American Lung Association says can cause “a range of harmful effects on the lungs,” detailed here. CSX says equipment has been deployed to monitor air quality in the area.
CNN reports the fire was 50% contained as of this morning, according to a Kentucky Emergency Management spokesman. The derailment has also caused the closure of U.S. Route 25 between the Laurel County line and Calloway Branch Road.
The railroad said it has secured hotels and is working with local restaurants and a store in Mount Vernon, Ky., 9 miles away, to provide meals and other necessities, and will be providing Thanksgiving Dinner today at a local church and middle school. Additional information is available here.
Dr.,
Livingston, I presume, the writer meant to state is 60 miles south of Lexington, not Louisville.
I agree.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
According to AP News, rail operator CSX said Thursday that a chemical fire at a Kentucky train derailment that caused evacuations has been completely extinguished. CSX promised to pay the costs of anyone asked to evacuate, including a Thanksgiving dinner.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün