(Graniteville) Jan. 12, 2005 - Governor Mark Sanford on Wednesday asked for federal disaster assistance for Aiken County in connection with the train crash and chemical spill. Sanford asked that the county be made eligible for federal financial assistance and low-interest rate loans.

Senator Jim Demint was briefed Wednesday on the spill situation by the EPA and first responders and says the federal government should have a response within 48 hours, "They do have a role in making sure that some of are reimbursed. We share the load as a nation not just as a community."

Chlorine gas leaking from a damaged tanker car has been blamed for nine deaths. The car was damaged when an oncoming Norfolk Southern train crashed into cars parked on a side track early January 6th.

Three schools - Warrenville Elementary School, Aiken County Career and Technology Center and Midland Valley High School - will operate for the rest of the week, meaning about 2000 students will see their lives become more normal. Leavelle-McCampbell Middle School, Byrd Elementary School and Freedman Parenting Center are still closed.

Norfolk Southern Railway continues to operate an accident assistance center at First Presbyterian Church on Barnwell Avenue in Aiken to serve residents who have incurred loss, inconvenience, personal injury or property damage as a result of the incident. So far the sheriff's department reports about 2000 people have received assistance.

The Environmental Protection Agency is monitoring air quality in the Avondale Mills Gregg Division plant. Some of the Avondale buildings may be able to restart operations in the next few days and some workers have already returned to work. Supervisors will contact workers when that happens.

Updated 11:33pm by BrettWitt