By Jo Ciavaglia, Reuters

A shelter in place in Bensalem and Lower Southampton has been lifted and no hazardous materials are leaking after a freight train derailment Tuesday afternoon near the Neshaminy Falls Train Station in Bensalem.

Sixteen freight cars of the 72-cars on the train, including three designated as hazardous material, derailed between Street Road and the Neshaminy Falls station on Bristol Road in Bensalem, police said at a 4:30 p.m. press conference Tuesday.

Authorities confirmed only two cars carried hazardous materials including what was believed to be acid and some kind of alcohol.

“At this time, it is deemed safe. There is no threat to public safety,” said Bensalem Public Safety Director William McVey, confirming there were “no leaks found.”

He added that Bristol Road between Old Lincoln and Brownsville Road were to remain closed for an indefinite period Tuesday night.

“At this time the evacuation order is lifted … everyone can return to their homes and businesses in the affected area,” McVey said.

There was no immediate known cause of the derailment, according to McVey. The investigation is being turned over the CSX and other authorities.

A public alert had identified the situation as a hazardous materials incident before first responders could reach the trains and determine what was in the cars and if they were leaking.

In an abundance of caution, Bensalem police and Bucks County Hazmat team evacuated residents in the immediate area of the accident including Grove Avenue and some homes and a business along Old Lincoln Highway.

A foul odor was reported in the area of Old Lincoln Highway near the scene, but one resident said she didn’t detect anything closer to the scene.

Jennie McDanel Green, a Facebook user who says she lives between Brownsville Road and Grove Avenue, about half a mile from the accident wrote: “My son and I were outside and heard all the sirens but never heard any bang or commotion before the sirens. No smell at all that we can tell.”

A notification sent by Bucks County Emergency Management warned that exposure to hazardous materials at the incident could cause difficulty breathing, loss of coordination and burning sensations in eyes, nose, throat or lungs, but officials confirmed there was no threat to the public once they confirmed no cars were leaking.

McVey said no injuries are reported and there were no passengers on the train, only freight.

After the report of the derailment, Bensalem police, fire, emergency management services and hazmat teams quickly responded to the scene to assess the situation and the contents of the train cars.

As result, Bristol Road is closed between Brownsville Road and Old Lincoln Highway while emergency personnel are assessing the situation, McVey said.

CSX ordered all trains to be stopped, according to radio reports, and SEPTA posted a notification that service has been suspended temporarily on the West Trenton Line. The rail shutdown left tracks quiet and clear of activity near area of the derailment Tuesday afternoon.

Shortly before 4 p.m., loud sirens could be heard from outside the Bensalem police media staging area at the old Sears building at the Neshaminy Mall, roughly 3 miles from the incident.

Before the 4:30 press conference, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Middletown, a Republican who represents all of Bucks County, said in a Facebook post that his office is working with officials and first responders.

“Local officials have reported several cars involved, which may contain hazardous materials,” Fitzpatrick said, confirming that no injuries had been reported. “We will not have further confirmed information until the Hazmat Team is on scene and able to assess the rail cars.”

Fitzpatrick urged residents to follow the 1-mile shelter-in-place order in effect and those outside the area to avoid the scene to clear the roads for emergency and hazmat personnel.

“We are incredibly grateful for every first responder and emergency personnel on the scene, and we ask you to join us in praying for their safety,” Fitzpatrick said.

State Sen. Frank Farry, R-Langhorne, and state Rep. KC Tomlinson, R-Bensalem, confirmed in a statement that local and county first responders were actively working on the scene of a freight train derailment in Bensalem between Street Road and the Neshaminy Falls train station Tuesday afternoon.

“Our office has been in contact with CSX and will continue to share updates as they become available. Thank you to all of our first responders for their swift response and professionalism. We remain prepared to assist however needed,” their statement read in part.

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Keywords

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Hazardous Materials,

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Bucks County,

SEPTA,

West Trenton Line,

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Emergency Response