Update
DERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Crews have loaded a derailed train car that was carrying chlorine onto another car, and minutes ago began moving it out of Derry Township.
The chlorine car, and seven others, two of which contained potassium hydroxide, had derailed Wednesday afternoon, prompting the evacuation of 14 homes and three businesses near the East Derry Crossing. Officials will now make a determination when those people can get back home and back to work.
Evacuations, Air Monitoring
Officials have stressed that no chemicals leaked from the crashed cars. Air monitoring stations have been set up in the area.
"We have mobile monitors in vehicles going around, as well as stationary monitors, checking the air at all times. There has been no problem," said Smith.
Trinidad Avenue, Mansion and East Derry Roads remain closed today.
Zoo America is now open. It had been closed Thursday. Hersheypark and the Hershey chocolate factory are not affected.
The cause of the derailment is not yet known.
Fourteen families in Derry Township, Dauphin County, are being asked to stay out of their homes today after a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed around 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Residents on East Derry Road within a one-block radius of the train were evacuated after eight railcars jumped the track near Hersheypark. Three of the derailed cars are carrying hazardous materials; two cars are filled with potassium hydroxide , an additive in alkaline batteries, the other car contains chlorine . Two other cars contain carbon dioxide. News 8 spoke to a Franklin & Marshall chemistry professor about the chemicals, their properties and potential effects. If you'd like to read what he had to say click here .
None of the chemicals leaked, Derry Township Police said.
"We have mobile monitors in vehicles going around, as well as stationary monitors, checking the air at all times. There has been no problem," said Derry Township Police Chief Bill Smith.
However, Smith did point out that there is potential danger, given the chemicals contained in the cars.
"(If) chlorine leaks. It gets into the air. It can be lethal," he said.
HARRY R. CARTER Ph.D. started his FIRE Act Road Trip in Hershey rights as the incident was happening. Read his account of the Derailment in Hershey
Trinidad Avenue, Mansion and East Derry Roads are closed in the area. For real-time traffic updates on this situation, as well as others in the Susquehanna Valley, visit our Traffax traffic section.
VIDEO:Norfolk-Southern officials said the derailment has backed up trains on the main freight line. One track has reopened and some freight trains are once again traveling through Hershey.
Crews are working to fix the damaged rail line. They will then put the derailed cars back on the line and move them out. Crews plan to deal with the chlorine last because it is the most dangerous, police said.
Work is moving slowly today because crews have to continually stop to allow other freight trains to pass through.
Chief Smith said the earliest time that the evacuated residents might be able return to their homes would be Friday evening.
"I am in shock. I have animals and everything in my home. I don't know what's going on. My air conditioner is running, my downstairs windows are open. I don't know what's going on with my pets," said resident Sonya Hoffner.
"I was trying to come through and they wouldn't let me in," said resident Tony Gish.
Three businesses near the tracks were also evacuated.
Derry Presbyterian, Hershey Trust Company, and Zoo America are closed.
Parts of Hershey Country Club West are closed, but the swimming pool, the east course, the clubhouse and the tennis courts are still open.
The derailment has not affected the Hershey Chocolate Factory or Hersheypark.
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