LAFAYETTE, La., May 17 (UPI) -- Everyone within a mile of a derailed train in Lafayette, La., was evacuated Saturday when two cars began leaking hydrochloric acid, police said.

More than 3,000 people were instructed to evacuate, and were warned they would be out of their homes and businesses for at least 48 hours, CNN reported. Residents were taken out of a nursing home.

A temporary shelter was set up at a local high school.

Six cars left the track at about 2:30 a.m. about 60 miles west of Baton Rouge. Lt. Craig Stansbury of the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office said police went door-to-door to tell everyone they had to leave.

People living somewhat farther away from the crash site were warned to keep windows closed and to turn off their air conditioning.