(The Associated Press circulated the following article on February 6.)
HANDLEY, W.Va. — Train cars containing chemicals derailed Tuesday near this small West Virginia town, and authorities were evacuating people from their homes as a precaution, emergency officials said.
No one was injured in the derailment, which happened about 4:45 a.m, said Carolyn Charnock, director of 911 services for Kanawha County.
CSX Corp. told authorities the train was carrying hazardous materials, but nothing had leaked from the 10 to 15 cars that derailed, Charnock said.
“We’re evacuating as a precautionary measure until we can confirm there is no danger to the public,” she said.
She didn’t immediately know which chemicals were in the rail cars, which had tipped onto their sides, she said.
Handley is about 20 miles southeast of Charleston and has 500 to 600 people.