Homes evacuated after train carrying hazardous materials derails in Pennsylvania

( NYPost )

Homes were being evacuated early Monday after a train carrying hazardous materials derailed outside Philadelphia.

A 40-car CSX Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, just before 5 a.m. Monday, prompting emergency crews to respond to a suburban area of Whitemarsh Township.

Between 15 and 20 of the derailed cars were carrying hazardous materials, prompting a Level 2 hazmat response, Fox 29 reported.

Officials evacuated houses and businesses in the area of the derailment as a precaution early Monday, saying there was no known hazard to the public at this time.

Photos of the derailment show multiple cars toppled off the tracks, which appear to be bent.

“Precautionary evacuations have occurred at the residents and businesses closest to the scene. It is not believed that further evacuations will be needed, but we will evaluate as we know more,” Whitemarsh Township police said in a Facebook post.

Officials from Norfolk Southern, CSX and the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety’s Emergency Response Team were on the scene.

There are no known injuries at this time, according to officials.

Joshua Road was closed between Flourtown Road and Stenton Avenue, police said.

It’s unclear what caused the train to go off the tracks.