© Reuters.
by Brad Brooks
(Reuters) -A norfolk south (NYSE:) train derailed in Ohio on Saturday, the second such incident involving the railroad in that state in about a month, prompting local officials to order residents living near the crash site to stay shelter in place.
Norfolk Southern said the train that derailed near Springfield was not carrying hazardous materials and no one was hurt. Local authorities said first responders on the scene were working to confirm that no toxins were involved.
The accident follows the February 3 derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine, Ohio, 180 miles (290 km) northeast of Springfield. The East Palestine derailment sent millions of pounds of toxic chemicals into the environment and forced thousands of people to evacuate.
Norfolk Southern said in an emailed statement that Saturday’s derailment of about 20 cars of a 212-car train occurred while it was traveling southbound near Springfield. The statement did not give any cause for the derailment.
“There are no hazardous materials involved and no injuries have been reported,” Norfolk Southern said. “Our crews are on their way to the site to begin cleanup operations.”
US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on Twitter that the Federal Railroad Administration had informed him of the latest derailment and would closely monitor the situation.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said President Joe Biden and Buttigieg had called him to offer assistance with the latest accident. “We don’t believe there were any hazardous materials involved,” he said.
Clark County officials asked residents living within 1,000 feet of Saturday’s derailment to “shelter in place out of an abundance of caution,” according to a statement on the county’s (NASDAQ:) Facebook page. .
He said there were power outages in the area due to downed power lines as a result of the accident and it was unclear how long it would take to restore power.
