INDIANAPOLIS -- A train collided with railcars sitting on the tracks near downtown Indianapolis Friday morning causing grain and liquid to spill and closing several intersections.
Indianapolis Fire Department, the Marion County Health Department and Hazmat were all called to the scene off Harding Street just south of Washington Street around 10 a.m.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers on the scene say the train collided with a group of seven rail cars that were sitting on the track for an unknown reason. The collision caused one of the tankers to spill a non-flammable liquid and one of the grain cars to spill. CSX says the spill could take several hours to clean up.
Firefighters say there is no threat to the public and no injuries have been reported.
Because of the length of the train, multiple intersections will be closed while crews clean up the spills.
The railroad crossings at Belmont Avenue, Lynhurst Drive and Harding Street will remain closed until further notice. Drivers should seek alternate routes.
#TrafficAlert: Train crossing at Belmont and Washington streets is closed for a undermined amount of time. Plz, find alternative route.
— IMPD (@IMPDnews) August 25, 2017
CSX released the following statement Friday afternoon:
"Indianapolis and Marion County emergency responders and CSX personnel are at the scene of an incident involving the release of grain and some non-hazardous lubricating oil from two rail cars involved in a collision near the intersection of White River Parkway Drive and West Washington Street in Indianapolis. The incident occurred at approximately 9:50 a.m. today. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. No injuries have been reported. CSX has additional employees and contractors responding to the scene to address the commodities that have been spilled. CSX appreciates the quick and comprehensive response by Indianapolis and Marion County emergency services personnel."
