(The following story by Cynthia Vega of Dallas television station WFAA appeared on the Dallas Morning News website on April 28.)
DALLAS — Railroad crews assessed cleanup options after a Union Pacific freight train carrying flammable liquids derailed in South Dallas early Wednesday.
Twelve cars of the train jumped the tracks in the 5600 block of South Lamar Street just after midnight. No one was hurt.
The train, which was traveling to Fort Worth from Baton Rouge, La., had a cargo that ranged from molasses to clay, but four of the derailed cars were transporting flammable liquids.
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A Dallas Fire-Rescue hazardous materials team responded to the scene and attempted to minimize any potential for danger. “We think we might have a small leak on one of the more non-hazardous products,” said Chief Michael Jones. “It’s probably going to be a drip and it’s actually not going to get into the water supply; we’re taking immediate measures to keep it out.”
Some of the emergency personnel at the scene about 3 miles south of downtown Dallas said they have seen similar derailments in the same area at least two times before Wednesday’s incident.
Cleanup of the area and damage to the track may not be completed until noon, officials said.