Students in school buildings and residents in neighboring homes were told to evacuate after a dangerous chemical began leaking from a railcar Tuesday near Cincinnati.

Authorities in Hamilton County, Ohio, said the rail car was leaking styrene, a toxic and flammable chemical that is used to make plastic and rubber.

A dangerous chemical leak in Ohio has prompted school closures and evacuation orders in Whitewater Township, west of Cincinnati. Officials say a railcar's pressure release valve is leaking styrene, a toxic and flammable chemical used to make plastic and rubber.