DECATUR, Alabama - A suspicious device has been found attached to a rail car carrying hazardous material at the Daiken America plant, causing Decatur Police to dismiss students at several schools.

Lt. John Crouch said police, Decatur firefighters, the Huntsville bomb squad and the FBI are on the scene at the plant at Alabama Highway 20.

He did not say what type of hazardous material is in the train car. However, he said the estimated potential danger zone is 25 miles.

"Current weather conditions indicate that the greatest danger area would be to the northeast should an explosion occur," Crouch said. "The intersection of State Docks Rd and Highway 20 West can be used as a reference point."

Schools were students are being dismissed are:

Blue Springs Elementary - dismissing immediately - will be transported to Cedar Hill Elementary

Calhoun Community

Clements High

Julian Harris Elementary School

Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary

Benjamin Davis Elementary

Woodmeade Elementary

West Decatur Elementary

Tanner High School - dismissing immediately

West Decatur - dismissing immediately

West Morgan High, Middle and Elementary - dismissing at 10:30 a.m.

"All other Decatur Schools will have a liberal check-out policy," Crouch said. Crouch said he will release details as they become available.

Updated at 10:21 a.m. Nov. 21, 2013, to include potential blast zone.

Updated at 10:41 a.m. Nov. 21, 2013, to include additional schools being dismissed.





