The Nation - News from Dec. 27, 1987

Twenty-two cars of a Union Pacific railroad train carrying chemicals derailed near Marshall, Tex., on a track apparently weakened by heavy rain, injuring four people, threatening water supplies and prompting the evacuation of about 150 people, officials said. Officials ordered the precautionary evacuation of residents within a mile of the site. They said that the chemicals were not toxic but could cause eye and throat irritation if inhaled. Officials said fires in the tanker cars of the 37-car train would be allowed to burn themselves out.