BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Three railroad tanker cars carrying fuel oil derailed Monday night in downtown Brownsville. No injuries were reported, the Associated Press reported.
Thick black oil leaked from one of the tanks, but it wasn’t enough to pose a serious danger, authorities said. Firefighters tightened bolts on top of the leaking car to try to minimize the slow flow.
Assistant Fire Chief Randy Russell estimated that no more than five gallons had leaked out of the tank, which caused a small black puddle in the grass, The Brownsville Herald reported in its Tuesday editions.
The derailment occurred as tracks apparently buckled just after the train had passed the federal courthouse. The newspaper said two other cars were leaning.
The Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railroad, which owns the train and tracks, moved other rail cars that were blocking a street.
Cranes will be brought in to right the overturned cars, which could take up to 24 hours.
“As soon as (B&RG) can get the leak stopped and get the cars upright, they will do that,” said Jeff Johnston, Brownsville Police Department emergency management coordinator.