Anderson train derailment cleared, investigation on cause continues
The train derailment involving two tanker cars has been cleared.
Callers reported a train derailment on Beeks Road at Belton Honea Path Highway to the Anderson County Sheriff's Office dispatch center on Thursday, just after 11:30 a.m.
Anderson County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management and local firefighters responded to the train derailment to secure the area. Officials confirmed at least two tank cars derailed from the tracks. There were no injuries reported.
An investigation into what caused the derailment continues.
"Cade Treffesian, deputy director of the Anderson County Emergency Management Team, said that hazardous materials were involved in the train derailment, but there was no spill."
He explained that the hazmat team was also called out as a precaution to ensure public safety and monitor the situation.
Treffesian said residents were never in danger.
According to PHMSA. Track owners must coordinate with local and federal authorities during the clean-up and investigation processes to ensure compliance with safety regulations and prevent further incidents.
Western Carolina Railway Company is responsible for ensuring the structural integrity and safety of the rail infrastructure.
Officials secured the derailment area until the cleanup team arrived at about 5 p.m. on Thursday. The team worked until about 2 a.m. Friday, found no leaks from hazardous materials and repaired damaged parts of the track, Treffesian said.
Crews offloaded train cars into 18-wheel trucks and were transported to a secured facility for further inspection.
PHMSA regulations
According to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, railroads must provide electronic train information for hazardous materials, maintain it off-train, and update it in real-time.
They must also provide that information to authorized federal, state, and local first responders, emergency response officials, and law enforcement personnel along the train route who could be or are involved in response to, or investigation of, an accident, incident, or public health or safety emergency involving the rail transportation of hazardous materials in advance of their arrival at an accident or incident.
Immediately following an accident involving a train carrying hazardous materials or an incident involving the release or suspected release of hazardous material from a train, the railroad operating the train must notify the primary public safety agency and provide updates.
Greenville & Western Carolina Railroad Services
Greenville & Western Railway operates on 13 miles of track within Anderson County. The company has not responded to requests for comment.
Photographer Ken Ruinard contributed to this article
Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: What to know about train derailment in Anderson County
