A train carrying more than 100 tankers of crude oil derailed during a snowstorm in southern West Virginia on Monday.
At least one tanker landed in a river, igniting at least 14 in all and sending a fireball hundreds of feet into the sky, officials and residents said. One section of the derailed train also slammed into a house.
A state of emergency has been declared in Kanawha and Fayette counties, as more than 2,400 people have been displaced from their homes. The fire continued to burn nearly nine hours after the accident, according to state public safety division spokesman Lawrence Messina.
Residents in the area said they heard several explosions after the derailment at 1:30 p.m. local time, with flames reaching to 300 feet in the sky. A second explosion was seen hours later.
Another explosion just happened here at the train derailment: pic.twitter.com/ZqoSCVRoAH— Matt Heckel (@WSAZmattheckel) February 17, 2015
David McClung said he felt the heat from one of the explosions at his home about a half mile up the hill.
"It was a little scary. It was like an atomic bomb went off," said McClung.
One person was being treated for potential inhalation issues, but no other injuries were reported, according to a statement released by CSX, the train company.
Stunning photos of the massive fireballs seen at the site of the accident have been posted on social media by residents.
Explosion over Boomer, WV today after an oil train derailment. pic.twitter.com/5TTe7fB4Ha— Ⓐⓝⓘⓢ ☠ (@H0XH4) February 17, 2015
#WestVirginia: Train derailment sends crude oil cars into Kanawha River; explosions erupt. pic.twitter.com/ZDyCFJUnPS— Anonymous (@rvelution) February 17, 2015
Oh look, another train derailment w/ explosive & toxic material. But it can't be further regulated because freedom. pic.twitter.com/Tfeb91Eb9V— David Pleasant (@dpleasant) February 16, 2015
Photo from Emily Hardy of flames shooting in the air at train derailment in #FayetteCounty #EyewitnessWV pic.twitter.com/osWwH9RncP— Eyewitness News (@wchs8fox11) February 16, 2015
What an amazing photo by Anne Belmont of Boomer, WV http://t.co/xT616IENtF pic.twitter.com/cRlMD2pFhk— WVVA News (@WVVA) February 16, 2015
Additional reporting by the Associated Press