Toxic chemicals aflame after Belgium train derails (VIDEO)

Two have died and over a dozen have been injured after a train derailed near the Belgian city of Ghent, sparking off a huge chemical fire and forcing over 300 to be evacuated from their homes. 

Six out of the train's 13 cars came off the tracks and then caught on fire, reports ABC Australia, causing explosions and a fire that spread "hundreds of meters."

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The accident happened around 2:00 AM, wrote AFP, which added that firemen decided to let the fire burn in a controlled manner to avoid the release of toxic chemicals. 

It's unclear at the moment how the two deceased were killed, noted the BBC. Five people were hospitalized, noted RT.com, but none with serious injuries.

"Everything is well organised, I think, and right now, there is no reason to increase the safety zone," said local official Jan Briers to the BBC of the incident. 

Restrictions on open windows and doors were eased on Saturday as authorities brought the fire under control. The chemical fire appears to have been caused by acrylonitrile, which is a toxic substance that is not particularly explosive.