A hazardous situation unfolded in Cleves, Ohio, as a chemical leak from a railcar led to an evacuation order being issued by the Hamilton County Emergency Management. The incident occurred near U.S. Route 50 and the Great Miami River in the town of Grandview, located west of Cincinnati.
The evacuation order, issued on Tuesday, advised individuals within a half-mile radius of the affected area to vacate immediately. Additionally, three school buildings in the vicinity were also evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The Central Railroad of Indiana was alerted to the situation around 1 p.m. when it was discovered that a railcar in Cleves was venting styrene, a chemical commonly used in the production of plastic and rubber. Emergency responders, including firefighters and environmental agencies, were promptly dispatched to the scene to address the leak.
Aerial footage captured firefighters actively working to contain the situation by spraying down the railcar, which was positioned upright on the tracks between the highway and an asphalt plant.
Residents were advised by the emergency agency to seek information from local media outlets for updates on the ongoing evacuation and the status of the chemical leak. Initially, individuals were instructed to stay indoors and keep their windows closed as a safety precaution.
