A cargo train carrying molten sulfur derailed early Monday in central Florida, the southeastern U.S. state, according to rail operator CSX Corporation.

"Approximately nine rail cars" derailed near Lakeland, Polk County, Florida, said CSX spokesman Rob Doolittle, describing molten sulfur as"a hazardous material used in making rubber, detergent and fertilizers."

The CSX said no injuries have been reported and that it's investigating the cause of the derailment.

Several cars were left "rolled over and mangled," said Polk County Fire Rescue.

The fire rescue agency warned local residents to stay indoors, close their windows and turn off their air conditioning units.

However, "at this time there are no evacuations," said the agency.

The derailment occurred near a residential area along a divided four-lane highway that links suburban and rural neighborhoods to Lakeland, according to a National Public Radio report. The train track runs parallel to the road.

The train, travelling from Waycross, Georgia, to Winston, Florida, was comprised of three locomotives and nearly 200 rail cars, among them 120 loaded and 70 empty, said the operator. 

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