Residents asked to shelter in place near train derailment in Clark County, Ohio

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Residents who live about 1,000 feet from a train derailment near Springfield, Ohio, are being asked to shelter in place as a precaution after 20 of 212 cars derailed Saturday evening.

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Around 20 Norfolk Southern train cars derailed near the Clark County Fairgrounds Saturday evening, according to WHIO.

A spokesperson for Norfolk Southern told WHIO that the derailment happened to 20 out of 212 cars. The train was traveling southbound near Springfield, Ohio.

The spokesperson confirmed that there are no injuries reported and that there were no hazardous materials involved, according to WHIO.

Clark County on Facebook said that over 1,500 residents are without power in the Clark County area following the derailment. The Clark County Emergency Management Agency also has asked residents who are about 1,000 feet or so from the area to shelter in place for the time being as a precaution.

“Multiple Clark County and Ohio agencies are on-site at this time, including the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Clark County Emergency Management Agency, Springfield Twp. Fire Department, Springfield Fire/Rescue Division, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, and the Springfield Police Division,” said Clark County.

United States of Transporation Pete Buttigieg on Twitter said he was informed about the derailment Saturday and said that the derailment will be monitored closely and also said that there were “no hazardous material release” reported.

It is the second train derailment in Ohio on Feb. 3. The other one was in East Palestine where a train derailed and caught fire. Days later on Feb. 14, the National Transportation Safety Board in a news release said they are investigating the derailment.

NTSB said that 38 rail cars derailed and the fire damaged another 12 cars. The big issue there has been surrounding the hazardous materials that the train was carrying. 20 cars had hazardous materials and 11 of those derailed. The Associated Press reported that about 50 cars were involved in the train derailment.

Since then, the biggest concern has been to the residents in the area and the environment, the AP said. Air quality and hazardous chemicals from the derailment have forced residents to leave the area.

WHIO reported that the same company as Saturday’s derailment, Norfolk Southern, was involved in the East Palestine derailment.