ROME, ONEIDA CO. -- 10:30pm update:
Three CSX freight cars headed eastbound derailed outside Rome in Oneida County this afternoon. Two were carrying scrap metal and the the third was carrying a highly flammable liquid.
The tanker full of highly flammable toluene landed in a soft swampy area just off the tracks. Emergency crews cautious but said it does not appear any of the flammable liquid was released.
"That car derailed into a swampy watery area and is partially submerged. CSX have reviewed the tanker and believe it is still intact and not leaking," said Lt. Philip Rougeux.
Oneida County's 911 center also sent out an alert to neighbors.
"To notify the residents just to stay away from the area, stay indoors and not come down towards Reber Road at all. We're not worried about any safety issues at this point - it's just a precautionary measure," said Oneida County Fire Coordinator Kevin Revere.
Crews are still looking into why the derailment happened in the first place. If the tanker is intact, State Police said CSX crews may try to lift it back up onto the tracks.
Updated at 6:40pm:
A hazmat team is on the scene of a train derailment in Rome.
Three cars of a train derailed into a swampy area late this afternoon near the intersection of Reber Road and State Route 69. Two of the cars were carrying scrap metal, but one had a flamable material. Officials believe the tanker is in tact and has not leaked.
After inspections, crews will try to lift up the train and put it back on the tracks if it is in tact.
There are no formal evacuations in the area, but one person living near the scene is being told to stay inside.
The cleanup process is expected to take awhile.
Original story:
Rescue crews are on the scene of a train derailment and possible hazardous materials situation in Oneida County.
The Rome Fire Department tells CNY Central that late this afternoon a train went off its tracks in the area of Reber Road in Rome. The road has been closed while the scene is being investigated.
WKTV-TV in Utica reports a possible HAZMAT situation as a result of this derailment. We have not yet been able to confirm this with police or fire officials.
This is not the first time that the train tracks on Reber Road have made headlines. In August 2006, a 17-year-old girl was killed when the car she was riding in was hit by a train on the same road. It was originally believed that the crash happened at a private railroad crossing, but an investigation determined the road is actually open to the public.
