Just after midnight Friday a freight train derailed in Mississippi forcing the evacuation of nearby residents.

Petal police reported 18 rail cars derailed at U.S. 11 and Central Avenue. By mid-morning, police reported that all evacuated residents could return home.

One of the Norfolk Southern train cars that derailed was reportedly leaking denatured alcohol. The chemical has a number of industrial uses, but is often used as fuel or as a fuel additive. It’s a form of ethanol.

We have had a train derailment of 18 cars at Hwy 11 and Central Avenue. We have multiple are agencies out assisting us right now. We are not currently evacuating anyone else from the area. We will update as we can

Police report that Railroad Street and Central Avenue will remain closed indefinitely and the derailment is cleaned up.