A Norfolk Southern train making its way around the foot of Lookout Mountain partially derailed overnight.
Details are still being obtained, but the incident is believed to have occurred shortly after 11 p.m. Friday on tracks located at the base of the mountain between Cummings Highway and Interstate 24.
Tactical Services Chief Danny Hague with the Chattanooga Fire Department said the train was pulling approximately 80 rail cars, and of that number, approximately 30 came off the track.
Most of the derailed cars appear to be inside a tunnel on the side of the mountain. No injuries have been reported.
Chief Hague and other Chattanooga firefighters are working closely with Norfolk Southern Railway representatives on the scene.
Chief Hague said one complication involves a propane tank that feeds a "switch heater" on the track. One of the derailed boxcars came in contact with the 1,000 gallon propane tank and caused a small leak. Personnel on the scene have partially plugged the leak and have called in a private contractor to remove the product from the tank. The removal process involves "flaring off" the propane in a controlled burn, which could take several hours to complete. The tank was about half full of propane when the accident occurred.
Meanwhile, railroad repair crews have been called in from around the region. While emergency personnel work on the propane tank, railroad workers will be working on re-railing the cars on the south end of the train. When the flaring operation is completed on the propane tank, the rest of the cars will be re-railed and then work will begin to repair the track.
Chief Hague said the railroad repair crews work fast and they hope to have all repairs done in two or three days. As a precaution, a portion of Cummings Highway on the side of the mountain has been temporarily shut down. Barricades have been placed where the highway is closed and motorists are cautioned not to go around the barricades.
Chief Hague said the incident poses no threat to the public or the environment. At the time of this release, the cause of the derailment was not known and will be under investigation. Chattanooga police, Hamilton County EMS, HEPACO, AmeriGas and several other private companies are providing assistance on the scene.