PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A freight train derailed in Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County Monday morning, causing several homes to evacuate as a precaution, but officials assure there is no immediate risk to the public.
The first 911 call came in around 4:55 a.m. More than a dozen cars on a CSX train derailed along a Norfolk Southern line. Hazardous materials crews went to the scene, near Flourtown Road, Joshua Road and Stenton Avenue.
Township officials said the only substance leaking from some of the rail cars is silicone pellets. The plastics do not pose any risk to residents or the environment.
“The train [also] contained two empty tank cars; five cars containing urea, which is a liquid fertilizer; and one car containing tetrachloroethylene,” said Barren Hill Fire Chief Christopher Schwartz. “One car that contained plastic pellets did break open and spilled next to the railway. These pellets were not hazardous.”
Tetrachloroethylene is a chemical used in dry cleaning and as a commercial degreaser. It is not flammable but is hazardous to the environment if it leaks. Officials said to their knowledge, that car was not damaged.
SkyForce10 chopper video showed several tankers scrunched up side by side across the tracks, followed by a long line of zig-zagged cargo box cars. At least 15 cars derailed and 12 homes were evacuated.
Emergency officials said there were no injuries. The evacuation order was lifted by mid-morning.
Remediation will continue at the crash site, which emergency officials say is a tricky one. The derailment happened near a quarry, complicating access to the site. Officials are working with the owner of the quarry to gain entry.
There’s no word yet on what caused the derailment. Whitemarsh Emergency Services said it is investigating further.
Representatives from both CSX and Norfolk Southern were on the scene. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will oversee their cleanup.
Rail officials hope to have trains running again by Wednesday evening, but federal officials must give the green light first.
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