(Reuters) - A train derailment involving 16 cars, two of which spilled molten sulfur, sparked a fire north of Livingston, Kentucky, railroad operator CSX said on Wednesday, prompting officials to tell residents to evacuate.
The cause of the derailment and the scale of the fire were not immediately clear, though ABC News said one crew member suffered minor injuries.
"We will work together with local authorities to secure the area and safety is our top priority as we develop a recovery plan," CSX said on its website, adding that the burning of molten sulphur releases sulphur dioxide gas.
Giving initial details of the incident, which took place at about 2:23 p.m., it said at least 16 cars were involved, two carrying molten sulphur that lost some of their contents, which then caught fire.
Short-term exposure to colourless sulphur dioxide can harm the human respiratory system and make breathing difficult, the U.S.
Persons:
Andy Beshear, Beshear, Harshit Verma, Brijesh Patel, Clarence Fernandez
Organizations:
Reuters, CSX, ABC News, U.S . Environment Protection Agency, Facebook
Locations:
Livingston , Kentucky, Livingston, Rockcastle, U.S, Bengaluru