A train derailment in metro Atlanta early Sunday sparked a small fire, created runoff concerns and briefly forced some residents from their homes, a fire official said.
The CSX train with about 170 cars, including three locomotives, ran off the tracks in Lilburn, according to Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services.
Firefighters responded at 1.43am to an occupant report of a train derailment on the CSX rail line in the area of Main Street NW and Camp Creek Road SW.
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A train derailment in metro Atlanta early Sunday sparked a small fire, created runoff concerns and briefly forced some residents from their homes, a fire official said
The CSX train with about 170 cars, including three locomotives, ran off the tracks in Lilburn, according to Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services
Two employees involved in the derailment were able to get to safety and were being evaluated for possible injuries, the agency said in a Facebook post. No injuries were immediately reported
A portion of the train is seen on Sunday morning following the accident
This aerial image shows the train derailment that occurred early Sunday morning
The devastation is seen Sunday morning after the CSX train derailed
The 911 caller advised the train had derailed and the train was taking on water.
The fire involved 'hazardous materials,' spokesperson Justin Wilson said. Hazmat technicians performed atmospheric monitoring in the area and began initiating spill control measures with difficulty due to the swollen creek.
With the fire involving hazardous materials, a decision was made to begin evacuation of the area closest to the fire. Evacuations had begun around 2am.
Around 5.30am, crews operating on scene determined the fire and hazmat to be under control with good air quality readings in the area.
It was unclear what exactly the train cars were carrying but crews were continuing 'atmospheric monitoring' after evacuation orders were lifted around 6am.
Approximately two hours into the incident, the fire had substantially subsided but still posed a threat to the surrounding area.
Photos shared by authorities showed smoky air over buildings in the city northeast of downtown Atlanta. The fire involved 'hazardous materials,' spokesperson Justin Wilson said
With the fire involving hazardous materials, a decision was made to begin evacuation of the area closest to the fire. Evacuations of nearby homes had begun around 2am
The National Response Center was notified of the hazardous materials and the EPA and EPD responded to the scene to evaluate the environmental impact of the incident
CSX is working with environmental cleanup companies to minimize impact to the environment
Fire apparatus were put into position on both sides of the fire to protect homes in case the fire spread through the wood line.
An unmanned master stream appliance was deployed to cool railcars exposed to the fire.
Photos shared by authorities showed smoky air over buildings in the city northeast of downtown Atlanta.
Two employees involved in the derailment were able to get to safety and were being evaluated for possible injuries, the agency said in a Facebook post. No injuries were immediately reported.
Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources responded to the scene to investigate the impacts on storm water runoff.
The National Response Center was notified of the hazardous materials and the EPA and EPD responded to the scene to evaluate the environmental impact of the incident.
CSX is working with environmental cleanup companies to minimize impact to the environment.