Chemical fire burns at Ky. train derailment site

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) — Emergency management crews remain on the scene of a train that derailed Monday off Dixie Highway near West Point after a fire sparked Wednesday injuring five people.

According to reports, crews were using an acetylene torch when an “arc flashed” and ignited butadiene vapors from one of the cars. Two workers refused treatment at the scene and three others were transported to the hospital. The injured workers suffered second and third degree burns over 90 percent of their bodies – two are reported to be in critical condition and the other in serious condition Thursday morning.

During a news conference Thursday morning officials said they are most concerned with keeping flames away from two cars loaded with hydrogen fluoride. Hydrogen fluoride is an highly corrosive gas that attacks moist membranes, one official said. The fire is under control and said they will let it burn itself out because putting water on the vapors could prove dangerous and toxic to surrounding soil.

“Most critical to us are the hydrogen fluoride cars. That is the greatest risk to us, the greatest risk to the community. Keeping them cool throughout the night and keeping any fire from impinging them,” Doug Hamilton, MetroSafe executive director, said.

Nine tankers being hauled by the train are loaded with dangerous chemicals. Two of them carry hydrogen fluoride but are not leaking. Three tankers have butadiene with one car leaking.

Art Smith, with U.S. EPA, said: “Hydrogen fluoride is a corrosive gas that it would attack any moist areas including mucous membranes and it does so aggressively. It is one of the more corrosive gases in the industry.”

EPA officials are working with DuPont and emergency management to monitor chemical levels and see if they can remove the two tankers with Hydrogen fluoride from the wreck safely.
They will also measure environmental readings from the Salt and Ohio rivers.

During the news conference, Doug Hamilton, executive director of MetroSafe, expressed frustration with P&L officials. Hamilton said he was provided “quite obviously incorrect information” about how much hazardous material was on the train and at the site.

An evacuation for a 1 mile radius around the site was issued Wednesday and remains in place. Three schools near the site are closed: Watson Elementary and Frost Middle schools in Jefferson County and Nichols Elementary in Bullitt County. There is a five mile “Shelter In Place Warning” radius has also been issued around the scene.

Another news conference is scheduled to take place at 4 p.m., and we will have continuing coverage throughout the day with live updates during the evening newscasts.