CSX train derails, catches fire in Indiana

Twenty-three railcars, five containing propane, went off the track near Princeton Sunday night.    A CSX Corp. train went off the rails Sunday night near Princeton, Ind., the Jacksonville, Fla.-based Class I railroad has confirmed in a statement.
   The train derailed at around 8:10 p.m. local time, causing two railcars filled with propane and two others containing frozen food to catch fire.
   CSX said 23 railcars derailed out of the 98 total cars on the train, five of which contained propane.
   No injuries have been reported and no waterways have been impacted by the incident, but CSX and local firefighters continue to monitor the railcars that caught fire, according to CSX.
   First responders have evacuated the surrounding area “for the safety of the neighboring public” and CSX said the evacuation order “will stay in place until further notice.”
   The cause of the derailment is under investigation.
   “CSX is working closely with local firefighters and other first responders to assess the situation, and the safety of the community and everyone on site is our top priority as we develop a recovery plan,” the company said.

UPDATE 6:45 p.m. EST:
   CSX has issued a statement saying that emergency officials have lifted the evacuation order for residents and businesses near the derailment site.
   “People can safely return to homes and businesses beginning at 4 p.m. CST today, and US 41 will reopen to roadway traffic,” the company said. “This decision was made after reviewing the results of highly sensitive air-quality monitoring and closely consulting with safety and emergency management experts on site. [Environmental] experts do not anticipate any adverse impacts to returning residents.”
   The railroad said environmental monitoring will continue during the cleanup and restoration process.