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Fire Erupts, Homes Evacuated In Lilburn Train Derailment

October 11th, 2020

A train derailment in metro Atlanta early Sunday sparked a small fire, created runoff concerns and briefly forced some residents from their homes, a fire official said.

The CSX train with about 170 cars, including three locomotives, ran off the tracks in Lilburn, according to Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services.

The fire involved “hazardous materials,” spokesperson Justin Wilson said. The agency shared photos on social media of smoky air over buildings in the city northeast of downtown Atlanta.

Final Update: Firefighters continue to assist CSX as needed following a train derailment in Lilburn. The train derailed following heavy rains from Hurricane Delta. Two CSX employees transported with minor injuries. Click here for more: https://t.co/6g1RXW3ma1

FDPIO-3 pic.twitter.com/TFMBZareL4

— Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services (@GwinnettFire) October 11, 2020

The derailment appears to have been caused by a washed-out track from intense rain and flash flood conditions in the area, CSX said in a statement.

The Atlanta area got a soaking from the remnants of what was once Hurricane Delta.

It was unclear what exactly the train cars were carrying, but crews were continuing “atmospheric monitoring” after evacuation orders were lifted around 6 a.m. Evacuations had begun around 2 a.m.

Two employees involved in the derailment were able to get to safety and were being evaluated for possible injuries, the agency said in a Facebook post. No injuries were immediately reported.