A freight train derailed in the midwestern United States, setting off a massive fire and causing a small amount of vinyl chloride, a hazardous chemical, to be released, AFP reported, citing official sources.

There were no reports of injuries or fatalities.

The incident happened late Friday night local time near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. It is reported that about 50 train cars from 140 were derailed. 

The Norfolk Southern train was carrying freight from Madison, Illinois, to Conway, Pennsylvania, when it derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.

The 10 cars that derailed were carrying hazardous materials, including five with vinyl chloride, the National Transportation Safety Board said.

Vinyl chloride is a colorless gas. It is explosive and considered carcinogenic. 

Authorities have asked about half of the residents of East Palestine City to leave their homes: about 2,000 people.