Federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrived on Friday to investigate a fiery Norfolk Southern train derailment that occurred around 3:23 p.m. near Lancing in Morgan County, Tennessee. The incident involved 26 rail cars, including ethanol tank cars that breached and caught fire, forcing the evacuation of 12 to 15 homes and prompting the opening of a temporary shelter at Wartburg High School.

While the evacuation order was lifted around 9 p.m. and no injuries were reported, four rail cars remained ablaze as of Friday morning. Cleanup efforts, which are being managed by Norfolk Southern and are expected to take several days, may cause intermittent road closures around Highway 62.

Although Norfolk Southern stated there is no danger to the public, environmental teams from the EPA and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation are actively monitoring air and water quality, and the National Park Service has advised visitors to avoid the water near local campgrounds at the Obed Wild and Scenic River.

(PHOTO BY BLUE LINE SECURITY)