Authorities have told residents of Cleeves and Whitewater Township, Ohio, to evacuate immediately due to a “hazardous” chemical leak.
A Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security official told Fox News Digital that the leak was not caused by a train derailment, but rather by an open valve on a car.
Officials said what came out of the valve was styrene, which the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences describes as a colorless, flammable liquid that has a sweet smell and is highly volatile.
In a Facebook post just before 2 p.m., the Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security warned area residents of the emergency.
What happened with the Ohio train derailment?
Residents of Cleeves and Whitewater Township, Ohio, were told to evacuate due to a chemical spill. (Google Maps)
“Whitewater Fire reports a hazardous chemical leak near State Route 128. Go indoors immediately and remain indoors until further notice. Close and seal doors and windows, close fireplace dampers and turn off heat. Watch local media for more information.”
Shortly after the first alert was issued, residents in the area were instructed to immediately evacuate and leave the area around US-50 and State Route 128 “from any direction.”
Currently, everyone within a half-mile radius of the train yard near U.S. 50, State Route 128 and Valley Junction Road is being told to immediately evacuate the area.
NTSB says Ohio train derailment was '100% preventable', says driver was warned about overheating axles
Residents of Cleeves and Whitewater Township, Ohio, were told to evacuate due to a chemical spill. (Google Maps)
A public evacuation shelter was opened at the Whitewater Township Community Center, authorities said.
Cincinnati's local station ABC used a drone to capture firefighters spraying water on the train cars, as well as footage of multiple fire departments in the area.
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Officials don't know when they expect the spillover to be over and people to be able to return to their homes.
No other information was immediately available.
