Nearly 300 people were evacuated from their homes in the northwestern city of Ghent, Belgium, after a train carrying chemicals derailed and caught on fire, local authorities said. Several explosions followed with no injuries reported.

The incident happened around 2:00am local time (24:00 GMT), causing a major fire.

After the train caught fire, a series of explosions rocked the train cars, prompting authorities to evacuate residents living nearby and disrupting the railway service in the area for at least two days, DH newspaper quoted governor of East Flanders Jan Briers as saying.

A total of six carriages derailed: two were on their side and three were on fire.

The blazing carriages contained acrylonitrile, a toxic substance, according firefighters. But reportedly there is no danger to the public at this point.

The train was coming from the Netherlands and was heading to the city’s seaport – Ghent-Zeehaven.

• A Permanent Economic Emergency