Update: Crews clean up after train derails at Columbus Ave. underpass

11 p.m. Sunday update Cleanup efforts continue at the Columbus Avenue underpass after Saturday's train derailment. Workers on Sunday were seen clearing the area of the wreckage at and near the underpass for several hours after a few train cars fell onto the roadway. Damaged train cars also leaked paraffin wax, which isn't hazardous, city officials said. At one point mid-afternoon Sunday, crews worked for 30 minutes to remove a damaged train car off of Columbus Avenue as dozens of people watched. No injuries were reported after the incident occurred just before 4:30 p.m. Saturday, but the bridge is severely damaged, Sandusky police Chief Jared Oliver said. Oliver said Saturday a conductor aboard a Norfolk Southern train traveling east reported engine issues, which caused the derailment. On Sunday, Norfolk Southern spokesman Connor Spielmaker said 20 cars derailed during Saturday's incident out of the 101 total cars being pulled by the train. Spielmaker, however, didn't answer the Register's questions about how long cleanup efforts could take, how many gallons of paraffin wax leaked from the affected train cars, among others. An inquiry for additional details about what caused the derailment also went unanswered. "As to cause, we investigate and furnish those findings to the FRA (Federal Railroad Administration)," Spielmaker said. Power within Sandusky city limits was restored by Sunday afternoon, Ohio Edison's website said. The train derailment knocked out power for about 1,500 customers Saturday as the train cars became tangled in power lines and brought down poles during the derailment. City officials said the Columbus Avenue underpass and Campbell Street railroad crossing will indefinitely remain closed for traffic. "We will communicate any pertinent updates as we get them," Sandusky government officials said on the city's social network page. It's unclear when further updates will be provided. The power outage also affected St. Mary Central Catholic High School's homecoming dance on Saturday, which was moved from the school on West Jefferson Street near downtown Sandusky to Ghostly Manor on Milan Road (U.S. 250). "Thank you to the Criscione family for saving the night," the school posted on its social network page Saturday evening. A father-daughter dance planned at the school for Sunday afternoon continued as scheduled after power was restored, Sandusky Central Catholic officials said. 10:42 p.m. Saturday update SANDUSKY — No injuries were reported Saturday afternoon after a train derailed at the Columbus Avenue underpass, but the incident caused severe damage, Sandusky police Chief Jared Oliver said. The incident occurred at about 4:20 p.m. when a conductor aboard a Norfolk Southern train traveling east reported engine issues, which caused the derailment at the Columbus Avenue underpass. The damaged train cars are leaking paraffin wax, which isn't hazardous, Oliver said. It's unclear when the damage will be cleaned up and how long it will take. Norfolk Southern and Federal Railroad Administration crews along with city workers are on scene cleaning up the site, city officials said late Saturday. "Please avoid the area," Sandusky officials posted on its social network pages. Meanwhile, railroad crossings between Columbus Avenue and Mills Street, like the Campbell Street crossing, in Sandusky will be blocked for an unknown amount of time, Oliver said. Ohio Edison spokeswoman Lauren Siburkis told the Register the derailment knocked out power for more than a thousand customers Saturday. "It brought down a couple poles and the derailed train ended up on power lines," she said. "We're working to transfer customers to backup power lines." As of 10:40 p.m. Saturday, one area near Columbus Avenue could see power restored as late as 11:30 p.m., according to Ohio Edison's website. About 60 customers remain affected. Any malfunctioning traffic signals in the area should be treated as four-way stops, local law enforcement said. The power outage affected St. Mary Central Catholic High School's homecoming dance, which was moved from the school on West Jefferson Street near downtown Sandusky to Ghostly Manor on Milan Road (U.S. 250). "Thank you to the Criscione family for saving the night," the school posted on its social network page Saturday evening. Original post (Saturday afternoon) A train has derailed at the underpass on Columbus Avenue. It's not known how it happened, if anyone was injured or how many cars derailed. Columbus Avenue is closed while crews respond to the derailment. Power in the Columbus Avenue area appears to be cut off. It's not known how many are without power. **Check back for updates