(CNN posted the following article on its website on January 16.)
BROOKS, Kentucky — A train derailed Tuesday morning just south of Louisville, Kentucky, sparking a huge fire and shutting down part of nearby Interstate 65 in both directions, the Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office said.
The blaze lit the dark morning sky, sending black smoke billowing into the air, while orange flames lined the railroad tracks for hundreds of yards alongside the derailment.
The train was operated by CSX, according to Kentucky State Police.
It’s not clear what the train was carrying, but several tanker cars were stacked up beside each other on or near the tracks, all ablaze.
According to the Kentucky State Police, the train’s operator indicated the contents that were burning were an inhalation hazard, and evacuations were under way.
A one-mile stretch of Kentucky Route 1020 also was closed due to the smoke, the sheriff’s office said.
Brooks Elementary School has been evacuated, according to the sheriff’s office.
Several fire trucks were on the scene, shooting arcs of water on the flames.