CINCINNATI — A hazardous chemical leak at a railyard near Cincinnati led to the evacuation of nearby schools and residents on Tuesday, as officials alerted the community about the potential for an explosion.

Emergency services were actively managing the situation involving a railcar leaking styrene in Whitewater Township close to Cleves, which is just west of Cincinnati. Approximately a dozen agencies, including the Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Materials Unit, responded to the leak, as reported by Mike Siefke, chief of the Little Miami Joint Fire and Rescue District.

Styrene is a flammable chemical that can be deadly if inhaled. It’s also regarded as a probable carcinogen that can harm organs, irritate lungs, and cause breathing difficulties, based on reports from the Cincinnati Enquirer, a part of the YSL News Network.

The authorities received the first alert about the chemical leak at 12:46 p.m. on Tuesday, and by around 1 p.m., the Central Railroad of Indiana was informed that one of its railcars was venting styrene. While the railroad was not the owner of the railcar, it was positioned on their property, according to their spokesperson.

Residents in the vicinity of Cleves were told to evacuate because of the chemical leak, as stated by the Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency. Officials have not yet disclosed which railroad was transporting the chemicals or whether any other hazardous materials were on the railcar.

No injuries among civilians or firefighters have been reported. Some residents sought medical help, but Siefke was unable to specify the count or their ailments.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced that personnel from the Federal Railroad Administration were heading to the scene. The Ohio EPA confirmed that its Emergency Response team was present to support local responders, adding that the total amount of styrene released has not yet been determined.

During a briefing at around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Siefke noted that concerns about an explosion remain, even though the car’s temperature has been reduced by spraying it with water.

‘The situation could’ve been much worse’

Siefke mentioned that air quality monitoring for styrene has commenced as officials work to gather information for assessing whether the evacuation and shelter-in-place orders remain appropriate. Currently, the evacuation zone extends half a mile from the leaking railcar.

Results from initial air quality tests will be available by early Wednesday, which may influence the adjustment of the current three-quarter mile radius for the shelter-in-place advisory.

Initially, residents were instructed to stay indoors and secure their homes by sealing doors and windows, and later some were given an evacuation order. A shelter was established at the Whitewater Township Community Center, where approximately six individuals found refuge.

Andrew Knapp, director of the Hamilton County Communications Center, indicated that around 210 households fall within the half-mile evacuation area.

“We’re fortunate that there are a limited number of residential homes,” Knapp stated. “It could’ve been significantly worse if the leak occurred in a more populated area.”

Local schools also evacuated students on Tuesday after the leak began. Three Rivers Local School District announced on its website that classes would be canceled on Wednesday.

Residents affected by the evacuation

Charlie Davis, 74, was in his home in Hooven, watching a movie, when he heard someone banging on his door. A police officer was canvassing his street, urging residents to evacuate.

Upon stepping outside, he noticed a smell similar to gasoline and experienced burning in his eyes. “I know people who ignored (the evacuation order), but I couldn’t take that risk. My health is already fragile,” he said.

Charles Garner, 58, was in downtown when the order was issued, making it impossible for him to return home due to the closure of U.S. Route 50. His 92-year-old mother, a resident of Hooven, had to evacuate her home and was taken to the shelter.

Past styrene leak incident in Cincinnati

In August 2005, another styrene leak occurred from a railcar in Cincinnati’s East End. That incident also occurred without a derailment and resulted in evacuations and shelter-in-place orders for local residents.

Following two days of anxiety about a 30,000-gallon tank car potentially exploding, hazmat teams successfully contained the leak. The leak stemmed from a railcar that had been inactive during the summer for over five months, causing the styrene to heat up and leak out.