Toxics Do Not Spill in Derailment
A railroad tank car carrying more than 20,000 gallons of a toxic chemical derailed Friday night, but the tank did not rupture and no injuries were reported, fire officials said.
The derailment occurred at 8:20 p.m. Friday near a city power station at Lewis Street and Cerritos Avenue, a Fire Department spokesman said, adding that the cause is under investigation.
Firefighters and workers from Southern Pacific had difficulty righting the car because of slippery ground around the tracks, the spokesman said, but finally managed to lift it Saturday morning with a commercial crane.
The car was carrying 20,600 gallons, or about 260,000 pounds, of toluene diisocyanate, a toxic chemical that is especially dangerous if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
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