ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — It could take days for crews to clean up the thousands of gallons of chemicals that spilled and caught fire after a freight train derailed and hit a house in western New York, authorities said.
At least seven of the 42 cars of a CSX Corp. train headed for an Eastman Kodak plant jumped the tracks Sunday in Charlotte, just north of Rochester. Two tankers containing methylene chloride and acetone — chemicals used in making photographic film — leaked and caught fire, and two homes were heavily damaged, said Fire Capt. Dan McBride.
Officials said there were no serious injures.
Plumes of black smoke from the burning cars could be seen more than 10 miles away. Sharon Connolly said she saw a huge ball of flame.
"I saw the cars fly in the air. There was an explosion," Connolly told the Democrat and Chronicle of Rochester for its Monday editions.
There was no word on whether the chemicals posed health or environmental dangers. Some residents were advised to evacuate as a precaution.
The train originated in Rochester.