12 empty train cars derail in Center Township, no injuries
Twelve empty train cars intended to carry liquid petroleum derailed along Henricks Road in Center Township on Wednesday night, Dec. 27, according to officials.
No one was injured and no hazardous material was released when the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad train cars derailed, according to a spokesperson for the railroad Thursday.
“A crew has been on site since around 9 a.m. this morning to clean up the derailment, and a full investigation is underway to determine a definitive cause of the incident,” the spokesperson said.
Several vehicles from R.J. Corman Railroad Services could be seen along Henricks Road at 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning. At least five train cars could be seen tipped on their side at that time.
Mike Pflugh, chief of Unionville Volunteer Fire Company, said the empty train came off the tracks around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Pflugh said Thursday that there were no breaches to the train cars.
“No injuries, leaks, or any other issues,” he said.
Rob McLafferty, assistant director of the Butler County 911 Center, said the county was alerted to the derailment and received updates from the railroad company during the event.
“If the event was more serious, Unionville fire would have remained in charge but the county would have responded to any requests for assistance,” he said. “The responders in Butler County are prepared to protect residents and property in this type of event.”
McLafferty said all first responders are required to complete a Hazardous Material Awareness Course once a year, which includes rail care identification and initial steps in derailment events. Additionally, the county’s Hazmat team hosts educational events with national rail experts to prepare for potential events.
“The county has plans in place if additional resources are needed at escalating events,” he said, citing Region 13 and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).
“We are certainly blessed that the responders in Butler County are prepared to protect residents and property during this type of emergency events,” he said.
A portion of Henricks Road — which crosses the tracks near the derailment site — was briefly closed for clean up and has since been reopened, the spokesperson indicated.
Firefighters and Butler Ambulance Service were on scene for 10 minutes, according to Pflugh.
