Kentucky CSX derailment leaks molten sulfur, sparks fire
A CSX freight train derailed around 6:15 a.m. CST on December 30, 2025 near Trenton in Todd County, Kentucky, sending 31 cars off the tracks, leaking molten sulfur from one car and igniting a fire that prompted a half‑mile shelter‑in‑place order for nearby residents. Authorities say the fire was extinguished by late morning, air‑quality tests showed no ongoing threat, no injuries were reported, and the shelter‑in‑place order was lifted as crews began hazardous‑materials cleanup and site recovery.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- Thirty-one rail cars from a CSX train derailed near Trenton, Kentucky, at about 6:15 a.m. CST on December 30, 2025.
- One derailed car leaked molten sulfur, a flammable chemical that can be toxic when burning, and the leak sparked a fire.
- Todd County officials issued a half‑mile shelter‑in‑place order that was later lifted after the fire was extinguished and air‑quality testing indicated conditions were safe; no injuries were reported.
đź“Š Relevant Data
In the United States, there are approximately 1,000 train derailments each year, with an average of 1,300 per year over the last decade.
How Often Do Trains Derail? — forthepeople.com
Human errors and track defects caused more than 3,000 rail accidents over the last decade in the US, resulting in 23 deaths and nearly 1,200 injuries.
Railroads and regulators thwart safety fixes for years, costing lives — cnsmaryland.org
Train derailments overwhelmingly occur in rural and tribal areas where communities have fewer resources for response and recovery.
The Environmental and Health Fallout of Rural Train Derailments — undark.org
The population of Todd County, Kentucky, is 84.7% White (Non-Hispanic), 7.14% Black (Non-Hispanic), with a median income of $35,160 in 2023, which is below the national median household income.
Todd County, KY - Data USA — datausa.io
CSX Transportation's train accident rate increased 73% from 2013 through 2017, with multiple derailments involving hazardous materials in recent years.
CSX Transportation safety record comes under scrutiny as accident injury rates rise — trains.com