Hundreds Flee as Derailment of 2 Trains Spills Toxic Chemical

Two Conrail freight trains derailed in a crowded neighborhood Saturday, spilling a toxic chemical and causing paper goods aboard to burst into flames, prompting authorities to evacuate hundreds of residents and clear airspace within 2 1/2 miles of the accident, authorities said.

Fourteen people were taken to a nearby hospital for breathing problems, and one was listed in serious condition, officials said.

The accident occurred when one Conrail train bound for Chicago from Morrisville, Pa., derailed into a second freight train en route from Pittsburgh to Camden, N.J., as the two trains passed each other, Conrail spokeswoman Kathleen Byrne said.

In all, 12 cars from the Pittsburgh-to-Camden train and 22 cars from the Morrisville-to-Chicago train left the track, Byrne said.

About 850 people were evacuated after the derailment, said Dennis Doyle, a police communications clerk. Most were allowed to return after the fire was extinguished, Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Mellot said.

Traffic was halted along a parallel bus thoroughfare after the derailment. No buses were passing when the derailment occurred.

Firefighters determined after several hours of uncertainty that no chemicals had ignited and that the blaze was caused by the paper goods on three or four cars, said Glenn Cannon, director of the Pittsburgh Public Safety Department.