MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Thousands of eastern Tennessee residents were returning home Friday after they were evacuated when a CSX train car carrying hazardous material derailed and caught fire.

An evacuation order has been lifted for about 5,000 people who live within a mile-and-a-half radius of the crash site, Maryville City Manager Greg McClain said during a Friday news conference. Most of those evacuated received urgent knocks at their doors between midnight and 6 a.m. Thursday by emergency workers who told them they should leave immediately.

Smoke and flames rise after the derailment of a CSX train car Thursday in Maryville, Tenn. The train was carrying flammable and toxic material. The Associated Press

The concern stemmed from the contents of the car that derailed: liquid acrylonitrile, a hazardous material used in multiple industrial processes including making plastics.

It’s flammable and it’s dangerous if inhaled. The EPA says some effects of breathing acrylonitrile include headaches, dizziness, irritability and rapid heartbeat.

Officials said tests to monitor air quality have shown no danger to residents.

“It is safe to go home,” McClain said.

Eighty-seven people were treated at Blount Memorial Hospital in Maryville, and 36 were admitted, hospital spokesman Josh West said. None had life-threatening injuries, but they were experiencing respiratory issues, skin irritation and nausea, West said.

One person was discharged early Friday, and the number of patients being released from the hospital was expected to increase throughout the day, West said.

Ten first responders were treated at the hospital after breathing fumes.

CSX has offered to reimburse people for expenses stemming from the sudden evacuation. Some evacuated residents were pleasantly surprised by hotel vouchers and an abundance of food and free ice cream.

CSX opened an outreach center for displaced residents.

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