Pennsylvania homes evacuated after early morning train derailment

Homes and businesses in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, were evacuated Monday after a CSX train derailed.

The Whitemarsh Township Police Department said the derailed train cars do not pose a threat to the public as they were only carrying silicone pellets. Sources initially told a local Fox affiliate that 15 to 20 cars with reported hazardous materials derailed, sparking a Level 2 hazmat response. 

First responders are on the scene and police say residents and businesses closest to the site were evacuated out of an abundance of caution. 

"My team and I are monitoring the train derailment in Whitemarsh Twp and assisting local first responders. Thank you to the residents taking precautions at the direction of local authorities. I urge you to continue following their instruction," Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro tweeted.

CSX said weather appears to have caused around 16 cars from its 40-car train to derail off of Norfolk Southern tracks.

"While preliminary reports indicate that one car transporting hazardous material was involved in the incident, there is no indication of any leaks or spills of hazardous materials and there are no injuries to the crew of the train. The local fire department responded and declared an evacuation of just over a dozen homes out of an abundance of caution," the company also said. 

The incident Monday follows the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, earlier this year, which caused environmental problems that were also felt in Pennsylvania.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.