In a recent incident, the governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, has declared a state of emergency after a train derailed and sparked a molten sulphur fire. The derailment occurred on Wednesday in Rockcastle County, north of Livingston.

According to the railroad operator CSX, at least 16 cars were involved in the derailment, including two carrying molten sulphur. The fire, which was ignited by the spilled sulphur, continued to burn as of Thursday morning, according to CSX.

Fortunately, there are no indications that the two cars carrying magnesium hydroxide were breached. The other cars were either empty or carrying non-hazardous products such as grain and plastic, providing some relief amidst the emergency situation.

Governor Beshear's office released a statement acknowledging the need to activate resources, including Kentucky Emergency Management and the Kentucky National Guard, to safeguard the communities and families affected by the incident.

Additionally, Beshear has also taken steps to protect the affected families from price-gouging by activating the state's price-gouging laws. This move aims to ensure that goods and services are not grossly overpriced during this challenging time.

While one member of the train's crew sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene, there were no reported hospitalizations, according to state emergency management officials.

To address potential health risks, specialized equipment has been deployed to conduct air monitoring in the derailment area. Molten sulphur, when burned, releases sulphur dioxide, which can cause severe irritations to various body parts including the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin.

CSX spokesperson Bryan Tucker stated that it is believed the fire is releasing sulphur dioxide, but confirmation will only be obtained once measurements are obtained from the monitoring equipment.

As of 8 am on Thursday, approximately 50% of the fire had been contained, according to Rockcastle County Judge-Executive Howell Holbrook, providing some respite amidst the ongoing emergency response efforts.

This train derailment adds to a series of similar incidents that have occurred across the country this year. Just last week, an Amtrak train in Michigan derailed after colliding with a disabled vehicle on the tracks, injuring a dozen people. Another significant derailment occurred in Ohio in February, involving a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying hazardous chemicals, including the carcinogenic vinyl chloride.

Authorities are working diligently to mitigate the impact of the train derailment, with a focus on ensuring the safety and well-being of affected communities.