A bridge collapse in southern New Jersey has derailed a freight train spillling flammable vinyl chloride into a creek.

The New Jersey Star Ledger reported that four railroad tank cars tumbled into the Mantua Creek in Paulsboro, New Jersey near in New York on early Friday morning.

The derailed train is leaking flammable vinyl chloride due to which at least 18 people at the Paulsboro Marine Terminal have complained of respiratory distress.

Emergency workers and ambulances have been rushed to the spot.

Residents in the area are also being evacuated and rescue workers who have been exposed to the vapors are being sent to local hospitals for decontamination and treatment.

A local environmental cleanup company has been called out to help place booms in the creek, the report said.

The bridge had previously collapsed in August 2009 after a 50-car coal train passed over it, spilling 16 cars into the water.