PAINESVILLE, Ohio -- Firefighters continue to work on a smoky fire at the site of a train derailment at Painesville. But authorities are allowing some people back into their homes.

People had been ordered out of businesses and homes within one-half mile of the derailment when about 30 cars of a 112-car freight train derailed Wednesday and some caught fire.

Firefighters spent the night keeping water on a tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas, waiting for daybreak to tackle the fire in other cars.

The train derailed near the Route 44 and Route 2 interchange near Heisley Road.

State Route 2 has reopened. State Route 44 north and south between Route 84 and Route 2 is still closed. West Jackson Road reopened at 6 a.m., and Newell Road reopened at 7 a.m. Motorists will not be able to enter Route 44 from Jackson Road.

Officials said one of the cars that is not on fire contains propane. There is concern that if the fire spreads that the propane tank may catch fire.

Images: Train Derails

Meanwhile, Wickliffe firefighter officials said the derailment is in a remote area, causing difficulty for firefighters to reach the fire. The train derailment is about 300 yards from the road.

Additionally, Lake County used the reverse 911 system to notify residents of an evacuation in a half-mile radius of the derailment.

The CSX train was traveling from Cleveland to Buffalo, N.Y.

Mike Pettrey, who was driving in the area when the train derailed, said he heard an explosion.

He said he could see a large amount of smoke and even flames from his office, which is about a half-mile away.

Pettrey, vice president of C&M Transport Inc., said his family lives in the area adjacent to the tracks and they are being evacuated.

Pettrey added that the power went out in his office.

A motorist who was driving on state Route 44 nearby at about noon said he heard an explosion and saw a white flash out of the corner of his eye.

"I looked and an oil tanker exploded. Flames shot 50, 60 feet in the air. Other cars were thrown off the tracks and dumped grain that started burning," Michael Wright said.

A hot line has been set up for residents with questions or concerned about the derailment. Residents can call 330-918-5469 or 440-918-5470 for more information.