FIRE crews were on standby yesterday, Wednesday, after a train containing highly flammable chemicals was derailed at Arpley sidings.

Railway workers spent most of the day trying to separate two tankers, which contained acrylonitrile and ammonium nitrate, after the incident which occurred just after 1am.

Four engines were called to the scene in the early hours after one tanker collided with another during shunting operations.

The fire engines returned to the sidings yesterday morning with hazardous materials units and operational support units and were on standby as the two tankers were separated.

This is the second incident at the sidings in as many months, as firefighters were called to a chemical spill at the beginning of January when hydrochloric acid was leaking from a bogie truck.

A spokesman for operator English, Welsh and Scottish Railways said there was no damage to the tankers and the fire brigade was called as a precaution.