WBIR – MARYVILLE (WBIR) - After burning for hours, the fire in a rail car containing a hazardous liquid finally has been extinguished on a Blount County rail track, according to CSX.
The rail operator said the fire was out by 7 p.m. Thursday. The car carried about 24,000 gallons of Acrylonitrile, a flammable liquid used in various industrial processes including plastic manufacturing.
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Thirty-five of the train's 57 cars had been removed as of Thursday night. Twenty-one will be removed once track repairs are made, according to CSX.
"The cause of the derailment is under investigation by the company and officials of the Federal Railroad Administration," according to CSX.
Twenty-seven of the train cars carried hazardous materials, including nine that had Acrylonitrile and were transported in pressurized tank cars.
As of 5 a.m. Friday, Blount Memorial Hospital had treated 87 people through the day and admitted 36 patients. None were critical, according to spokesman Josh West.
Residents impacted by the rail car derailment, fire and evacuation can call CSX with questions at 800-331-4031. Health-related inquiries should be directed to 866-812-9565.