A train derailed near the border of Ohio and Pennsylvania on Friday night, causing a massive fire in the area, local media reported.
Multiple train cars can be seen on fire in images posted on social media from East Palestine, a town northwest of Pittsburgh. Smoke can be seen rising from the blaze and filling the atmosphere.
Emergency crews had been evacuating residents from their homes within 1.6 km of the fire, according to several media reports.
It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties. The East Palestine police department did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for details.
🚨#BREAKING: Train derailment sparks massive explosion⁰⁰📌#EastPalestine | #Ohio
Currently, multiple emergency crews are responding to reports of a major fire caused by a tanker train derailment leading to multiple explosions. All residents nearby are now being evacuated pic.twitter.com/LUWqegoQnn
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) February 4, 2023
Norfolk Southern Corp freight railroad was “coordinating closely with local first responders while mobilizing our own teams”, a company spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
The person did not immediately respond to queries about what the train was carrying or what caused the derailment.
