Wednesday, April 1, 2015

TRAINS ARE SAFE, ALL ABOARD: TRAIN DERAILS IN IRONDALE, ALABAMA. 13 RAIL CARS DERAILED AND TWO TANKERS LEAKED CHEMICALS








APRIL 1, 2015

IRONDALE, ALABAMA

Cranes are on scene to re-rail 13 cars. Two of the rail cars, one carrying liquid rubber cement, and the other carrying sodium hydroxide leaked a small amount of what they were carrying. Both leaks were contained shortly after the accident.

No injuries have been reported. The investigation into what caused the derailment continues.

Update: Tuesday, 11:58 p.m.

Right now, there is no immediate danger regarding the train derailment in Irondale. Eleven cars involved total. Four contain "something" and seven are empty.

It is expected to take ten to twelve hours to clear up. 

Authorities are still requesting a four block radius to keep everyone away from the derailment site. The main reason for that is because there is going to be so much heavy equipment and personnel on the scene.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue is on the scene with a HazMat unit for "mutual aid." Jefferson County EMA is on the scene.

Norfolk Southern is the railroad company. They have their own HazMat crew too, handling the clean up
--
Right now, authorities are on the scene of a train derailment in the Whistlestop district of Irondale.

An Irondale police officer heard a loud boom and went to investigate. A train had derailed near 20th St in downtown Irondale. 

Ten to twelve cars are off the rail and a tanker leaks an identified substance, according to police. Jefferson County EMA joins Irondale Fire Department and railroad workers at the scene.

The cause has yet to be determined, but pavement work near the tracks may have been a factor. There are residents who live in eyesight from the accident. And though no homes are being evacuated, rescue personnel want people to stay away from the area. 

For now, there's no timeline on how long it will take to clean and clear the railway.

There are no injuries.

Railroad crews are surveying the cars to determine what they contain.

Detective Mike Mangina serves as the public information officer for Irondale police. He said if anyone works in the vicinity, they should check with their employer in the morning before coming down this way.

We will continue to bring you more information as it becomes available.

Trains are safe, all aboard!

Source: www.abc3340.com