Fertilizer Fumes From Derailed Train Cars Kill 1
About 30 cars of a 112-car train carrying fertilizer derailed near Minot, sending a toxic gas cloud over a neighborhood. One resident died after inhaling the gas, and about 100 people were treated for respiratory problems; 15 were admitted to a hospital.
By evening, three cars still were leaking but the affected area was confined to a square mile, Fire Chief Bob Wetzler said.
The fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia, is transported as a liquid but turns gaseous in contact with air.
Cleanup crews built roads to the derailment site so they could reach the leaking cars, Wetzler said.
Power was knocked out to part of Minot, and schools canceled classes for the day.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
