(The Hartford Courant posted the following article on its website on February 2.)
HARTFORD, Conn. — Police blocked off several blocks in Hartford’s North End Wednesday morning while authorities investigated a leaking railway tanker.
Police said butanol, defined as a flammable alcohol, was found to be leaking from the tanker shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday. The 39,000-gallon tanker, which was on the railroad tracks near Pavilion and Windsor streets, was apparently filled over capacity and had to be drained, officials said.
Experts from Environmental Services Inc. worked with Hartford fire and police departments to assess the situation.
Officials asked residents in the area to stay indoors, although they said there was no immediate danger.
The problem on the tracks resulted in the stoppage of two Amtrak trains shortly before noon, a spokeswoman said. She said passengers were bused from Windsor to Hartford.