text: A freight train carrying a dangerous form of ammonia derailed in a rural area of South Carolina on Friday night - causing several cars to overturn and leak, and sparking a 1.5-mile-wide evacuation. The train was traveling through Salters Pond Road and Highway 121, near the town of Trenton, shortly after 8.30pm when it derailed after apparently hitting a tree that had fallen onto the tracks. At the time, the vehicle was carrying anhydrous ammonia - a highly toxic, nitrogen-based chemical that can form explosive mixtures with air. It was also transporting non-hazardous ammonia nitrate . The derailment caused up to 15 cars to overturn and leak, authorities told WFXC. However, it is unclear whether  the affected cars were the ones holding the dangerous anhydrous ammonia. Derailment: A freight train carrying a dangerous form of ammonia derailed in a rural area of South Carolina on Friday night, causing several cars to overturn and leak. Above, officials are pictured near the scene on Friday . Company: The Norfolk Southern train (file picture) was traveling through Salters Pond Road and Highway 121, near Trenton, shortly after 8.30pm when it derailed after apparently hitting a tree that had fallen on the tracks . The incident prompted a civil emergency message to be activated for residents and businesses within a 1.5-mile radius of the area. Thirty people were subsequently evacuated as a 'precaution'. Derrick Becker, public information officer for the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, told The Associated Press that no one was injured following the Norfolk Southern train crash. He added that there were 'no visible liquids or a plume' on the scene. Officials could not immediately confirm how many cars the train had all together, and Norfolk Southern could not be reached. Suzy Spurgeon, Edgefield County's director of Emergency Management, said on Friday night that haz mat crews had been sent to the scene. Firefighters were already said to be on the tracks. IMs Spurgeon did not confirm how much of the substance had leaked from the cars. Locals who were evacuated from their homes were told to gather at Mount Canaan Baptist Church on Friday night. In a tweet after the incident, State Senator Shane Massey said the train appeared to have crashed into a tree on the tracks, derailing two locomotives and at least a dozen cars, WJBF reported. Deputies at the site: At the time, the vehicle was carrying anhydrous ammonia - a highly toxic, nitrogen-based chemical that can form explosive mixtures with air. It was also transporting non-hazardous ammonia nitrate . Scene: Suzy Spurgeon (left), Edgefield County's director of Emergency Management, said on Friday night that haz mat crews had been sent to the scene. Right, Sallters Pond Road train crossing, near the crash site . It is not the first time this year that a freight train derailment has sparked an evacuation. Last month, a BNSF Railway train loaded with crude oil derailed in northern Illinois, bursting into flames and prompting officials to suggest that everyone with one mile to evacuate, authorities said. However, only a family of two agreed to leave their home. The train derailed at around 1.20pm on March 5 in a rural area where the Galena River meets the Mississippi, according to BNSF. The train had 103 cars loaded with crude oil, along with two buffer cars loaded with sand. No injuries were reported.
target: Norfolk Southern train was traveling near Trenton, South Carolina, Friday .
  It was transporting anhydrous ammonia - highly toxic, dangerous chemical .
  It derailed shortly after 8.30pm after apparently hitting a tree on the tracks .
  Up to 15 cars overturned and leaked; haz mat crew was dispatched to site .
  Incident sparked evacuation of 30 people with 1.5-mile radius of the scene .
  Authorities confirmed Friday night that no one was injured following crash .