Train derailment in Missouri causes dozens of families to evacuate
AFFTON, Mo. (NBC, KYMA) - Investigators are working to determine the cause of a train derailment in a Missouri, which forced the evacuation of more than a dozen families Friday afternoon.
It happened in Affton where crews worked into the night to clear the scene.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene because they initially thought hazardous materials were in those train cars.
A shocking scene for South County neighbors Friday when a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train derailed very close to homes in an Affton neighborhood.
Three train cars overturned around 4:00 p.m. Central near Weber Road and New Hampshire Avenue.
An NBC affiliate in St. Louis' cameras rolled shortly afterwards, when it was still daylight.
"I think were in shock. Were just kind of waiting to see what happens next," said Emily Rodgers, an Affton resident.
Neighbors rushing outside as some 15 to 20 nearby homes were told to evacuate as a precaution. That's because two of the train cars were marked to have hazardous chemicals inside.
Crews were sent in to investigate, only to find there were no chemicals at all. Drones hovered above to confirm, which ensured there were no leaks.
"The only damage that exists is on the railroad," said Lt. Jason Brice with the Affton Fire Protection District.
"I came down here when I heard the engine just kind of running down there and the train not moving. That's kind of been a fear after 30 years of having a train derailment because it would be right by my house," said Jackie Bayer, another Affton resident.
At one point, a heavy stench filled the area. Authorities later confirmed it had nothing to do with the derailment, but may come from a nearby plant.
"Thank goodness no fatalities, no injuries," Bayer expressed.
"We're really fortunate that those things were empty. If those had chemicals in them and they were leaking this would be a very very different story," Lt. Brice added.
