On Wednesday morning, a train derailment occurred in Summers County, West Virginia, resulting in injuries and a fire caused by spilled diesel fuel and oil.
According to CSX, the incident involved four locomotives and 22 empty train cars near the New River.
The lead locomotive, which was carrying a conductor, engineer, and an engineer trainee, caught fire, and the crew members sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Additionally, an unoccupied locomotive was partially submerged in the river after the derailment, causing oil and diesel fuel to spill out onto the ground.
Environmental containment measures were implemented to address the aftermath of the incident. “An unknown quantity of diesel fuel and oil spilled from the derailed locomotives, and environmental measures will be deployed in the New River for containment,” CSX said.
They also assured the public that there were no hazardous materials being transported by the train, and the incident posed no danger to the public.
According to a statement by the West Virginia Emergency Management Division, CSX will be held accountable for the cleanup following the train derailment in Summers County.
The state agency noted that the railroad company has ownership of twelve feet of land on either side of the track and is therefore responsible for the cleanup.
In response to the incident, CSX is dispatching a spill response team to collaborate with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) on remediation and mitigation measures.
The West Virginia Emergency Management Division announced that there was no need for road closures or evacuations of nearby residences following the train derailment in Summers County.
In a statement, the agency assured the public that measures were taken to inform downstream public water systems, and they are continuously monitoring the situation for any potential health risks.
The Associated Press provided additional information for this report.
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