Cleanup ongoing after Uniontown train derailment; several...

UNIONTOWN, Pa. — Crews continued work Friday to upright train cars and clean up the mess left behind by a train derailment Thursday in Uniontown.

The train derailed about 7:30 a.m. Thursday, causing many roads to be closed while crews started the cleanup process.

According to Fayette County emergency officials, 10 railcars from the Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad Company derailed on Penn Street, sending seven of the railcars onto their sides. The railcars, which were carrying sand used in the fracking process, landed just feet from a house.

"We were sleeping when the train was going through like always. Then we just heard this big boom," said Rachel Johnson. "I rolled over, covered up my head and my brother-in-law came screaming out of his room that a train derailed. I go out and look and there it is. I just thank God that we're OK."

No one was injured, but the wreckage blocked two heavily traveled intersections. Officials said East Penn Street and Court Street will remain closed until Sunday. Meanwhile, Locust Street will stay closed until next Tuesday.

Power in the area was knocked out by the derailment, but has since been restored.

"We are very fortunate it was just this bad. There are some hazmats that travel across this, and we are very fortunate," said Uniontown City Fire Chief Dane Griffith.

Heavy duty equipment and tractors were brought in to upright the railcars. The task of removing the debris is ongoing.

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Some neighbors told Channel 11 that the crash was a wake-up call.

"We're thinking about moving out. It's too scary," said Johnson.

An investigation is underway into how the derailment happened.

Emergency officials said there is no hazard to the community and that the tracks and roads will be inspected before they reopen.