A state of emergency has been declared for Kanawha and Fayette counties in West Virginia after a train, carrying crude oil derailed and burst into flames.

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin declared both counties were in a state of emergency and hundreds of families are being evacuated.

The train, consisting of two locomotives and 109 rail cars, was travelling from North Dakota to Yorktown Virginia and derailed near the Mt Carbon area on Monday.

Reports claim at least one of the train cars plunged into the Kanawha River and the derailment sparked a house fire. Two water treatment plants were shut down.

Rail company CSX, who operate the train, said one person is being treated for “possible respiratory problems” but no other injuries were reported.

A community outreach centre has been set up by the train company to assist community needs as a result of the crash.