(The Associated Press circulated the following article on April 6.)
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Flammable liquid leaked from a Union Pacific train that derailed in a deep trench, prompting the evacuation of about 300 people, authorities said Tuesday.
The derailment was the fourth in the past month in Southern California.
One of the 13 derailed cars leaked about 200 gallons of flammable liquid that appeared to be a chemical much like paint thinner, said Mark Davis, a spokesman for Union Pacific Railroad.
The leak was plugged and the remaining liquid was transferred to trucks, he said. Crews worked to remove the tainted dirt and refill the trench with new soil.
Another derailed car carrying chlorine had a crack but no leaks were reported. Crews planned to transfer the chemical to an empty rail car.
Seven of the derailed cars carried potentially hazardous chemicals. The remaining six were empty.
The train derailed about 8:20 p.m. Monday as it headed from Colton to Roseville in Northern California. It included five locomotives and 79 cars, with three crew members onboard. No one was injured.
About 300 people from 100 homes were evacuated, authorities said. Some of the evacuees were staying at a Red Cross shelter set up Tuesday at a nearby high school. It was unclear when they would be allowed to return home.
The cause of the derailment was under investigation. Davis said Union Pacific crews would replace about 640 feet of damaged track.
The first Southern California derailment occurred March 8 in Industry, when 21 of 48 cars jumped the tracks. Officials evacuated at least 150 people but later said a leaking substance was cooking oil that posed no danger. Stress likely caused a rail to break, they said.
The next day, six cars derailed in Mira Loma, forcing authorities to close one of Riverside County’s busiest intersections during the morning commute.
The third mishap occurred in Santa Fe Springs after a 14-year-old boy allegedly pulled a switch and caused three cars hauling chemicals to derail. No one was hurt, and there were no chemical leaks.