Authorities urged residents of Cleves and Whitewater Township, Ohio, to immediately evacuate due to a “dangerous” chemical leak.
An official with the Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency told Fox News Digital that the leak was not caused by a train derailment, but by a train car with a valve left open.
Styrene is coming out of the valve, the official said. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, styrene is a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet odor and high volatility.
In a post on Facebook shortly before 2 p.m., the Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency warned residents of the region about the emergency.
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Residents of Cleves, Ohio and Whitewater Township, Ohio were advised to evacuate due to a chemical spill. (Google Maps)
“According to Whitewater Fire – DANGEROUS chemical leak near State Route 128. GO INSIDE IMMEDIATELY and stay inside until further notice. Close and seal doors and windows, close fireplace dampers, and turn off heat. Stay tuned to local media for further information.”
Shortly after the first warning, people in the area were told to immediately evacuate and leave the area of US 50 and State Route 128 “in every direction.”
Now, anyone within a half-mile of the rail yard near US 50, State Route 128 and Valley Junction Road has been told to leave the area immediately.
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Residents of Cleves, Ohio and Whitewater Township, Ohio were advised to evacuate due to a chemical spill. (Google Maps)
An emergency shelter has been opened for the public at the Whitewater Township Community Center, authorities said.
A local ABC station in Cincinnati used a drone to film firefighters along with several emergency crews in the area dousing a train car with water.
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Authorities have not yet been able to give an exact date as to when the oil spill will be cleared enough for people to return to their homes.
Further information was not immediately available.
