(The State posted the following article on its website on February 26.)
CAYCE, S.C. — A CSX railroad yard off of State Street in Cayce was evacuated for several hours early Sunday morning after a toxic chemical leaked from a train car, according to the director of Cayce’s Department of Public Safety.
Charles McNair said at about 12:45 a.m. railroad workers were lining up train cars carrying Alkyl Pheonls, which is a powder, McNair said. The powder mixed with rain and formed a small cloud, prompting the railroad yard to evacuate. McNair said once airborne, the chemical has a 700 foot radius, so public safety officials set up a preimeter to keep people away.
A hazmat team from the Columbia Fire Department tested the scene to make sure it was OK. McNair said CSX is sending a clean-up crew to finish the job. It’s unclear how much of the chemical leaked or what happened to cause the leak. Mike Greathouse, a CSX trainmaster, declined to comment early Sunday morning.