Residents of Cleves and Whitewater Township in Ohio have been warned by the authorities to evacuate immediately due to a ‘dangerous’ chemical leak.
The chemical leak is coming from a freight train car with an open valve, and not a train derailment, according to the Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.
Officials told Fox News that the open valve is letting out a liquid called Styrene, which the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences describes as a flammable, highly volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet oder.
Just before 2pm, the Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency warned residents saying: “Per Whitewater Fire – DANGEROUS chemical leak near State Route 128. IMMEDIATELY GO INDOORS and stay inside until further notice. Close and seal off doors & windows, close fireplace dampers, and turn off the heat. Stay tuned to local media for more information.”
Soon after the initial alert, residents were told to evacuate the half-mile area ‘in any direction’ immediately. Authorities have opened a shelter for the displaced residents in the Whitewater Township Community Center. It is unclear at this stage how long the evacuation orders will last for.
A local ABC News station captured drone footage of firefighters dousing a train car with water.

{Matzav.com}