Train derailment prompts Ohio evacuations

CINCINNATI, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Nearly half a dozen businesses in Hamilton County, Ohio, were evacuated Wednesday due to a train derailment involving propane, an official says.

Cincinnati Fire District Three Chief Glenn Coleman said the evacuations were caused by the derailment of three tanker cars carrying 90,000 gallons of liquid propane, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

Authorities do not suspect that any of the highly flammable liquid has leaked from the derailed tanker cars, two of which were on their sides following the accident.

Two box cars carrying paper were also derailed during the morning incident, along with one empty box car.

Coleman said heavy equipment was being brought to the scene of the accident to upright the fallen cars.

The emergency management agency told the Enquirer that the monthly test of the area's emergency sirens scheduled for Wednesday was canceled to avoid spreading undue panic on members of the general public.

No cause for the accident was reported.