LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- JCPS has canceled classes for Watson Lane Elementary School and Frost Middle School today at the advice of emergency managers after a train car exploded while workers were offloading a flammable chemical.
The schools are in the evacuation or shelter in place zones because of the train derailment fire in southwest Jefferson County, near Dixie Highway and Katherine Station Road.
In addition, JCPS will not pick up any students who live in the evacuation (1.2 mile) or the shelter in place areas (5 miles) today, regardless of the schools they attend.
"This is a safety issue," said JCPS spokesman Ben Jackey. All other JCPS schools will hold classes as usual.
Bullitt County school authorities are closing Nichols Elementary School on Thursday because of the ongoing train derailment cleanup fire and resulting evacuations and shelter in place orders.
Bullitt County schools and Nichols principal Jaime Goldsmith released the following statement late Wednesday:
"On advice of Bullitt County Emergency Management and due to the continuing uncertainty regarding the train derailment, Nichols Elementary will be closed on Thursday. Teachers and staff will report to Bullitt Lick Middle School. The state will determine if the day must be made up. If so, it will be at the end of the school year.
"We understand that many people need child care, or do not want to leave their children in an area that has the potential of becoming hazardous. BCPS will provide free child care tomorrow for Nichols students at Bullitt Lick Middle School. Parents may drop students off at BLMS in Shepherdsville at normal Nichols start time and will need to pick them up at the end of the school day. Transportation will not be provided."
The evacuations and shelter in place orders are expected to stay in effect until further notice.
Residents within 1.2 miles of the train site were ordered to evacuate on Wednesday, including at least 900 residents of West Point, Ky. Others within a 5-mile radius were advised by emergency managers to shelter in place, meaning they should stay indoors, keep doors and windows closed and turn off any heating or air conditioning systems that bring outside air into a building.
Stay tuned to WDRB News in the Morning and wdrb.com for the latest school information.
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