26 rail tanker cars derail, 3 leaking near La., shutting down U.S. 190

LAWTELL, La., Aug. 4 (UPI) -- A freight train derailed near Lawtell, La., Sunday, sending 26 cars off the track, including three tanker cars that were leaking slightly, state police said.

State Police Trooper Scott Moreau said the amounts of chemicals being released were too small to register on air pollution detectors, The (Baton Rouge) Advocate reported. The Union Pacific train had 76 cars, and some derailed units held lube oil and vinyl chloride, the newspaper said.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office said about 50 homes within a mile of the accident were evacuated as a precaution and the newspaper said U.S. 190 was closed about 60 miles west of Baton Rouge.

No injuries were reported.