BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) -- A federal report says a train derailment in Bladenboro earlier this year happened because of a broken rail on the track.
The report from the Federal Railroad Administration says eight cars derailed the afternoon of Feb. 2. The investigation found the accident caused $467,569 of damage to equipment plus another $100,000 to track, signal, way or structure.
CSX is responsible for the maintenance of the track. It is not clear from the report whether the company has or will face any fines or other discipline.
In an e-mailed response, a CSX spokeswoman said the train was on its way from Hamlet to Wilmington when it derailed. She said about two gallons of propanol, which is used as an antiseptic as well as in brake fluid, was released from a residue car, but was was safely collected and remediated. The statement said the track was restored the night after the accident.
Emergency workers evacuated hundreds of people from their homes in a three-mile radius because some of the train's cars were carrying hazardous materials. Only four of the 25 cars carrying hazmat derailed or were damaged, and none of them released any of their contents, according to the report.
Residents were allowed back to their homes later that night.