Published: December 28, 2007 11:34 pm      

Train derails, cars catch fire

NEW FLORENCE — Nine railroad tanker cars derailed Friday across the river from New Florence, causing two cars to catch fire, officials said.

Both of the tankers on fire were carrying ethanol, said Rudy Husband, a spokesman for Norfolk Southern Corp., which owns the rail line.

No injuries were reported.

Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol and grain alcohol, is a clear, colorless liquid, which contains the same chemical compound found in alcoholic beverages, according to the Web site of the U.S. Department of Energy. It also is used as a motor fuel.

The cars were part of a 42-car train traveling from Conway, Beaver County, to Newark, N.J., when they derailed around 1:45 p.m., Husband said.

The cause of the derailment remains under investigation, he said.

Eight of the derailed cars were carrying ethanol and one was loaded with liquid propane, he said.

The rail line was taken out of service. About 70 trains generally use the line daily, but traffic has been lighter in recent days because of the holidays, Husband said.

The railroad is hoping to be able to start running trains through the area early this morning, but the tracks first must be inspected to determine if they are safe to use, Husband said.

Indiana County Emergency Management said on its Web site that firefighters and a hazardous-material response team had been dispatched to the scene in West Wheatfield Township.