(The Henderson Gleaner staff posted the following story on its website on July 10.)
HENDERSON, Ky. — Two CSX rail cars carrying chemicals to Brenntag derailed in Henderson Wednesday night, prompting officials to evacuate several homes and block off an estimated quarter-mile radius to traffic.
The cars, which turned over onto their sides at the Gibbs Die Casting rail crossing on South Green Street, were not leaking, fire officials said.
One car was carrying about 90 tons of chlorine and the other was carrying about 100 tons of potassium hydroxide to Brenntag. Both substances are considered hazardous.
The train was traveling on a “spur that comes off the main line and goes back to Brenntag,” said Henderson Fire Chief Terry Lewis.As a precaution, several homes in the area were evacuated, although businesses near the derailment were not, Lewis said.
The Henderson Police Department cordoned off all roads west of Ohio Drive and east of Old Corydon Road.
A CSX team from Nashville was expected to arrive around 2 a.m. early this morning to get the train cars back on track.
“We expect the situation be cleared up by daylight,” local Emergency Management Director Larry Koerber said.