Maryville Train Derailment Update

MARYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Officials say preparations have begun to allow thousands of eastern Tennessee residents to return to their homes after a CSX train car carrying hazardous material derailed and caught fire.

About 5,000 people within a mile-and-a-half radius of the crash site were evacuated, along with several businesses, Thursday morning in Maryville.

City Manager Greg McClain said Friday morning that officials are working on a plan to lift the evacuation. More details are expected at a news conference at noon Friday.

The concern stemmed from the contents of the car that derailed Wednesday night: liquid acrylonitrile, which officials say is a hazardous material used in multiple industrial processes.