Derailed Tank Car Emptied of Propane; Evacuees to Return
A derailed tanker carrying liquid propane was emptied Friday, eliminating the danger of explosion following an accident that spilled toxic chemicals into a river and forced a mass evacuation.
The 15 families living closest to the rural spill site in northwest Wisconsin were to be allowed to return home late Friday. More than 22,000 people in Superior and neighboring Duluth, Minn., had to flee their homes after the derailment Tuesday.
A derailed tanker carrying a benzene mixture plunged into the Nemadji River and ruptured, sending a toxic cloud into the air. Two other tankers carrying liquid propane and butadiene, used to make synthetic rubbers, also fell from the trestle during the 14-car derailment but didn’t break open.
Burlington Northern Railroad pledged Friday to pay all costs associated with the accident. The cause remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.
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