Evacuations Ordered After Texas Train Derailment - Possible Water Contamination

Firefighters and emergency crews are evacuating areas along the Henderson and Smith County lines after a train derailment.   A substance is on fire, and while the large plume of smoke has not been deemed toxic, inhalation could cause respiratory distress.   One official source told KLTV 7 News that antifreeze was involved, along with possibly other chemicals.

While the chemicals are on fire, the fire is being extinguished as the substance enters the Neches River on the far northern reaches of Lake Palestine.  The City of Tyler has decided, as a precaution, to shut down the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant. 

The evacuation area is south of Highway 31, west of F.M. 315 in Chandler eastward to F.M. 2661 in extreme western Smith County.  Residents of that area are told to go to the Harvey Convention Center in Tyler and await further instructions.

We understand about 500 people are involved in this evacuation.   

Along the railroad tracks, our crews saw significant damage to the railroad tracks and a crossing, indicating the train was off the tracks for some time before coming to rest.  We are told 28 cars left the tracks. 

Presently, there are no fears of an explosion or an expansion of the fire, but authorities say with a large amount of smoke in the air, they want to take no chances.

Also, in southeastern Smith County, particularly in the Flint/Gresham areas, smoke from this fire is settling as winds have begun to subside.  Those with respiratory distress are advised to stay indoors if smoke is detected.

Stay tuned to KLTV and KLTV.com for more.