Local emergency officials asked residents around Route 76 in the Town of Ripley to shelter in place following a train derailment Tuesday night.
Governor Andrew Cuomo's office said that 15 rail cars traveling on the Norfolk Southern lined derailed around 11:20 p.m. Three rail cars were carrying the hazardous liquid ethanol turned on their side. One was said to be leaking.
As a result the Ripley Central Schools were closed Wednesday and government officials asked residents to shelter in place.
“I have directed the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Emergency Management, the Office of Fire Prevention and Control, the Department of Environmental Conservation as well as foam equipment to assist in suppressing the spill and provide support to hazmat teams that will be working to patch the leak," Cuomo said in an emailed statement Wednesday morning.
Several homes were evacuated in the vicinity of the derailment. Chautauqua County Sheriff's deputies say no one was hurt.
