Monday, July 4, 2016

1,000 gallons of corrosive sodium hydroxide spilled after 5 Schlumberger train cars derail outside San Antonio, injuring 2












Updated 1 hr 45 mins ago
SAN ANTONIO, TX -- Authorities say five train cars overturned outside of San Antonio, spilling about 1,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide and prompting a temporary evacuation.

Bexar County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Monica Ramos tells the San Antonio Express News (http://bit.ly/29azBba ) the derailment happened around 4 p.m. Sunday in an industrial area southwest of the city.

Ramos says the sodium hydroxide didn't cause fumes or residue. She says sodium hydroxide is only dangerous if touched.

She says two men inside a tug car that overturned suffered minor injuries and were treated on scene before being released.

A nearby flea market was temporarily evacuated.
KENS-TV reports the rail line involved is privately owned by oilfield services company Schlumberger.

An environment group is cleaning up, and authorities are investigating the cause of the derailment.



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BCSO responds to train derailment, chemical spill
Alicia Neaves and Kens5.com staff , KENS 6:10 AM. CDT July 04, 2016






(Photo: KENS)



BEXAR COUNTY, Texas -- The Bexar County Sheriff's Office responded to a train derailment along Fischer Road near Von Ormy around 4 p.m. Sunday.

Monica Ramos, a spokesperson for Bexar County, said one sand car and three tanker cars overturned.

She said a tug car also overturned with two men inside. The men reportedly suffered minor injuries, were treated on scene and then released.

The tanker cars involved were carrying sodium hydroxide, according to Ramos.



About 1,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide spilled, but this did not cause any fumes. Ramos said it is only dangerous if you actually touch it.

An environmental group was at the scene cleaning up the spill Sunday evening.

The rail line involved is also privately owned by Schlumberger, and the spill happened on the company's land.

There was an evacuation at Trader Village "out of an abundance of caution," according to the county.

However, the evacuation was canceled after officials said they determined the substance spilled did not pose a threat to the public.