ABBEVILLE, S.C. (AP) -- A train with some cars carrying ethanol has derailed in Abbeville and officials have ordered an evacuation of a half-mile area.
Fire Chief Mason Speer says the derailment was reported shortly after 4 a.m. Thursday.
No injuries have been reported.
Ethanol is flammable and is used as a solvent, as well as a fuel.
Speer says a hazardous material unit from the Greenwood Fire Department is on the scene and a similar crew is en route from Anderson.
He says his firefighters have not gone into the immediate area after first responders reported their eyes were burning.
He did not know how many people were affected by the evacuation, but says there are some industrial plants.
Abbeville is a town of about 5,500 people about 50 miles south of Greenville.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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