ROMULUS (WWJ) - Emergency road closures are in effect Thursday after roughly a dozen train cars derailed in Romulus, what Mayor Robert McCraight says was the third derailment in two years in the city.
No injuries have been reported in connection with the derailment of the CSX train, Thursday morning, near the Wick and Shook Road rail crossing. Officials say there is no immediate threat to public health.
Though the train was carrying chemicals, officials tell WWJ's Ryan Marshall there was no hazardous release at the scene, as the cars that overturned were empty.
Reporting from the scene, Marshall said there was a massive emergency response, and local schools were being evacuated as a precaution while CSX works with first responders to get things cleaned up.
McCraight said shortly before noon Thursday that 10 to 14 rail cars jumped the tracks on the North/South CSX railway at around 9:30 a.m.
"Romulus first responders along with the Wayne County Emergency Management Team are on scene assessing the situation," the mayor said. "At this time there appears to be no immediate threat to public health. Initial assessments indicate a majority of the rail cars were empty."
McCraight said students were transferred from Wick Elementary School and Romulus Middle School to Romulus High School "for precautionary measures only." He said students would be released from school at normal dismissal times and taken home through their regular bus schedule at the end of the day.
WWJ Traffic Reporter Jim Hughes said the intersection Shook Road and Wick Road is currently closed as officials works the scene. The mayor confirmed the rail cars are blocking Wick Road and Tobine Road intersection.
Drivers are being urged to use alternative routes around the affected streets.
While the cause of the derailment remains under investigation, speaking to reporters at the scene, McCraight appeared to be placing the blame squarely on the federal government.
"The federal oversight of railways is where I have a lot of heartburn on this issue right now," the mayor said. "Our basic jobs as elected officials is to make sure our communities are kept safe, right? How do we keep the community safe when we don't see enough federal oversight of these railways to make sure that our public remains safe."
The mayor said city officials are working with CSX Railroad representatives to clear the intersections as soon as possible, and that the city will provide updates on the situation as they become available.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest details as they become available. >>> LISTEN LIVE!