Kentucky governor issues state of emergency after a train derailed and spilled chemicals in a small town, forcing evacuations

• A train derailed in a small Kentucky town on Wednesday afternoon.
• Some train cars were carrying molten sulfur, which caught on fire and released chemicals.

A CSX freight train derailed in eastern Kentucky Wednesday afternoon, the company said, spilling chemicals and forcing evacuations that have stretched into the Thanksgiving holiday.

16 train cars were involved, two of which were carrying molten sulfur. Because the derailment also started a fire, the spilled sulfur turned into sulfur dioxide, a colorless gas that can cause irritation and even frostbite. One crew member was treated for minor injuries.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency, urging residents of Livingston, Kentucky to evacuate. The fire was only about 50% contained in Rockcastle County as of Thursday morning, and the evacuation order has impacted about a dozen homes so far.

"Due to the train derailment, many families in Livingston in Rockcastle Co. will be displaced for Thanksgiving," Beshear said in a statement on Thursday morning. "Please think about them and pray for a resolution that gets them back in their homes."

CSX is paying for hotels in Mount Vernon, Kentucky as well as holiday meals from local restaurants to help affected families.

"We will work together with the local authorities to secure the area and safety is our top priority as we develop a recovery plan," CSX said in its press release.